Everywoman’s Center Receives $149,520 Grant to Support Teen Survivors of Sexual Assault and Dating Violence in Hampshire County
Sept. 2, 2010
| Contact: | Daniel J. Fitzgibbons 413/545-0444 |
AMHERST, Mass. - The Everywoman’s Center (EWC) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has been awarded $149,520 over three years by the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance to provide support services to adolescent survivors of sexual assault and dating violence in Hampshire County.
According to national, state and local data, adolescents experience the highest rates of violent victimization of any age group. Data collected through the Hampshire Educational Collaborative in the spring of 2009 indicated that sexual, physical and relationship violence are serious problems for young people in the community. Of the 3,439 students in five area schools who were surveyed, 9.7 percent reported being hurt physically by a dating partner and 8.5 percent reported having sexual contact against their will.
The $49,840 per year state grant will support EWC’s continuing efforts to reach vulnerable adolescents in the community. With the funding, about 90 adolescents and their family members will receive free crisis intervention, group counseling, advocacy and support in accessing community resources.
The Everywoman’s Center Rape Crisis and Violence Prevention Programs of Hampshire County received 1,032 hotline calls in fiscal year 2010 and provided crisis intervention for 257 new clients. The programs provide rape crisis services for survivors of sexual violence, including a 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention and counseling, help with the medical and legal systems and support. Rape crisis services and violence prevention programs are available at no cost to the Five College and Hampshire County communities by calling 888/337-0800 or 413/577-0940 (TTY).
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