PA Centered

In this episode of the PA Centered podcast, we sit down with Respect Together CEO Yolanda Edrington to discuss the challenges of being a Black CEO in America.

In this episode of the PA Centered podcast, we sit down with the Polaris Project and the YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County to discuss what human trafficking looks like, the misconceptions of it, and if it can be spotted early.  

In this episode, Jaime, the Children’s Advocacy Coordinator at PCAR, meets with the folks from the RCC/CAC (Rape Crisis Center/ Children’s Advocacy Center) Collaborative Mentorship Project, a project created to support centers that want to build better collaboration between the agencies in their communities. https://www.familysupportline.org/ https://delcovictimassistance.org/ https://www.facebook...

On this episode, we meet with Beth Docherty, a sexual assault survivor, and Suzanne Estrella, the Commonwealth Victim Advocate, at the Office of Victim Advocate. Beth will share her story and then we will dive into the details of storytelling as a path to healing for survivors.   Be advised: This episode deals with details of a sexual assault. If that makes you uncomfortable, you may want to skip...

This episode we are joined by PCAR & NSVRC staff who share with us their experiences training on trans cultural humility and how we can be part of the solution to end transphobia. Learn More: Pronouns: A Guide from GLSEN Gender Unicorn - TSER A Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth – The Trevor Project Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace: Recommended Policies and Pra...

In this episode we explore the difference of “human trafficking” and “smuggling” as well as dive into how instability leads to human trafficking conditions. For more information, please contact Zozan Kucukaydin: zkucukaydin@pcar-respecttogether.org

Today, we sit down with Julia Holtemeyer from SPARC to take a deeper dive into Stalking behaviors, definitions, and family/friend tips for survivors of stalking. SPARC (Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center) is a federally funded project providing education and resources about the crime of stalking. SPARC aims to enhance the response to stalking by educating the professionals taske...

In this episode, we're joined by Jaime Cypher, PCAR's Children's Advocacy Coordinator, to discuss stalking. Listen along as Jaime discusses what stalking is, shares a recent experience of stalking after an event, and how bystanders can help and support when we see stalking happen.    https://www.stopstalkingus.com/     https://defendyourself.org/      https://www.stalkingawareness.org/stalking-bro...

This episode we are joined by Marli Mayon, Training Projects Coordinator at PCAR, to learn about doulas. Marli tells us what doulas are, the different types of doulas, and how they can provide a trauma informed approach to the birthing experience. Marli also discusses the connect between doulas, reproductive justice, and the sexual violence movement.    DONA International -- https://www.dona.org/...

This episode we are joined by Marli Mayon, Training Projects Coordinator at PCAR. Marli discusses the history of reproductive justice, how it connects to the sexual violence movement, and ways people can promote and handle pushback about reproductive justice. Marli also provides listeners with resources to learn more.    Show Notes Sister Song -- https://www.sistersong.net/   Killing the Black Bod...

In this episode, we discuss victim blaming, how this impacts survivors of sexual violence, and why people victim blame. We also discuss what selective compassion is and how this relates to the work we do with victims of sexual violence. We discuss how victim blaming and selective compassion are harmful and how we can do better. To find a local rape crisis center in PA, call 1-888-772-7227 or visit...

In this two-part episode, we talk with Tina Lopes and Barb Thomas, the authors of Dancing on Live Embers: Challenging Racism in Organizations. Tina and Barb highlight how to utilize and improve organizational assessments to measure anti-racism efforts in non-profit and anti-sexual violence organizations.   You can learn more about Tina and the book at tinalopes.com . Other works from Barb can be f...

Join us this week as we speak with Representative Joanna McClinton, Democratic Leader of Pennsylvania’s State House. Representative McClinton has served as a member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2015, representing the 191st State House District, which includes parts of Western and Southwestern Philadelphia, Yeadon, and Darby. Representative McClinton has worked as an attorney and...

In this episode of History You Should Know, you will learn about 15-year-old Claudette Colvin, who refused to give up her seat on the bus six months before Rosa Parks would do the same. These actions contributed to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which has gone down in history as the first large-scale US demonstration against segregation. 

Join us this week as we speak with Representative Donna Bullock, a member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing the 195th Legislative District, which includes parts of North and West Philadelphia. Representative Bullock is an attorney, mother, wife, and a tireless public servant, who is committed to supporting working families through legislative initiatives that fund public educat...

This episode we are joined by the Women’s Resource Center to learn about a project they did looking at the state of teen dating violence (TDV) policies in public school districts. Listen now to learn how you can utilize the scorecard they created to improve TDV policies in your own schools!   Learn More: The State of Dating Violence Policies in Public Schools Districts in PA’s Lackawanna and Susqu...

In this episode, we are joined by three experts who share with us the role of Children's Advocacy Centers (CAC) and debunk some myths about what a child medical exam is actually like. We also discuss the importance of collaboration between rape crisis centers and CACs, and how this process can benefit child survivors and their families. To report suspected child abuse in PA, call ChildLine at 1-80...

Episode Description: This episode we are joined by members of the State Leadership Team (SLT) to learn more about the Pennsylvania Prevention State Action Plan. The SLT is a multi-disciplinary action team that works to prevent intimate partner violence across the Commonwealth.   Learn more: PCADV Prevention State Action Plan PCADV's Prevention Statewide Leadership Team Releases Bold Five-Year Stat...

Episode Description: This episode we are joined by Gina McGrath, CEO and Founder of Consent Culture Initiative (CCI). Gina shares with us how CCI empowers folks to create cultures of consent, respect, and accountability -- and how you can get involved with their Consent Action Team!   Learn more: Consent Culture Initiative, prevention education and harm reduction   Join the Consent Action Team   C...

Episode Description: This episode we are joined by the Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) to learn how they help people access medical assistance. PHLP is a statewide, nonprofit legal organization devoted to helping low-income folks, people with disabilities, the immigrant community, and survivors of crime gain access to public health coverage and services.   Learn more: Pennsylvania Health La...

Episode Description: This episode we are joined by Rovaughna Richardson, an international ministries missionary and social worker, who shares with us the work she is doing in Ghana with young women who have been victims of a cultural practice called Trokosi, a form of human trafficking.   Learn More: RovaughnaRichardson.com Rovaughna Richardson: Quest to Heal Victims of Trokosi

When the conversation turns to legislation, public policy, or politics, do you ever feel like you’re out of the loop? Or maybe you’re a real news junkie and would love to learn more about the policies that affect survivors and the sexual violence advocacy community? With Policy in Focus, we’ve got you covered! Tune in to our pilot episode, where PCAR’s Policy Director, Donna Greco, and Policy and...

This episode we learn about how the practice of mindfulness can be used as a prevention strategy. We are joined by Brittany Leach from Women In Need, who tells us about Mindful Beings, a new program that helps teachers implement mindfulness practices into the classroom and daily routine in order to increase self-awareness, reduce conflict, and prevent violence. Women In Need, Inc. - Franklin & Ful...

This episode we are joined by Sarah McPherson, Program Manager at End Rape on Campus, to learn about three of their new projects: Speaker Series, Campus Accountability Map, and Student Survivor Caucus. Listen now to learn how you can get involved! Links: End Rape on Campus (EROC)   Centering the Margins Framework   Speaker Series Double Red Zone The Hunting Ground documentary Follow EROC on Social...

This episode we are joined by PCAR staff attorneys to learn about a recent U.S. Supreme Court Case, Mahanoy City School District vs. B.L., and how this decision about student speech might affect survivors. Learn more: Sexual Violence Legal Assistance Project (SVLAP) SCOTUS decision ACLU - Supreme Court Rules to Protect Studen ts’ Full Free Speech Rights Safe2Say Something StopBullying.gov - Get He...