One Voice. Hundreds of Advocates. A Shared Commitment to Survivors.
What happens when nearly 200 advocates from across the country gather in one place?
Ideas are shared. Partnerships are strengthened. New solutions emerge.
Most importantly, survivors’ voices are carried into rooms where decisions are made.
Last week, leaders from Respect Together joined nearly 200 advocates from across the country in Washington, D.C., for Advocacy Days, hosted by the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).
Representing Respect Together, the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR), and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), CEO Yolanda Edrington, COO Joyce Lukima, and COO Jennifer Grove spent two days learning, connecting, and advocating alongside coalition leaders, culturally specific organizations, and victim service professionals from across the nation.
The gathering brought together coalition leaders, culturally specific organizations, prevention educators, victim advocates, and service providers from every corner of the country. While their communities may look different, they share a common purpose: creating a world where survivors are supported, believed, and able to access the resources they need.
Throughout the event, participants exchanged ideas, learned from one another, and explored ways to strengthen the movement. Conversations centered on emerging challenges, promising solutions, and the importance of ensuring that survivor services remain strong in every community.
Those conversations continued on Capitol Hill.
Our team met with staff from the offices of Representative Lloyd Smucker, Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, Representative Madeleine Dean, Representative Chrissy Houlahan, and Senator Dave McCormick to discuss federal investments that support survivors across Pennsylvania and the nation.
Among the priorities discussed was the urgent need to stabilize the Crime Victims Fund through support for the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act. These resources help support programs that survivors rely on every day, including advocacy, counseling, legal services, prevention education, and community-based support.
The meetings were thoughtful, productive, and encouraging. Congressional staff asked questions, sought additional information, and engaged in meaningful conversations about how federal investments impact real people and real communities.
The event also provided an opportunity to hear from national leaders who have used their platforms to advance policies that support survivors and strengthen communities.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Senator Amy Klobuchar joined advocates in Washington to discuss the challenges ahead, the progress that has been made, and the continued need for partnership between policymakers and the people doing this work every day. Their messages reflected the spirit of Advocacy Days: when survivors, advocates, and leaders come together around shared goals, change becomes possible.
Advocacy does not begin and end in Washington.
It happens every day in rape crisis centers, domestic violence programs, classrooms, community organizations, and local coalitions. It happens when advocates answer hotline calls, support survivors through the legal process, teach prevention programs, and work to create safer communities.
Advocacy Days offered an opportunity to bring those experiences directly to policymakers and to remind them that behind every funding decision are people who deserve support, safety, and access to services.
We left Washington with renewed energy and optimism.
Optimism because we witnessed the strength of a nationwide movement committed to ending violence. Optimism because advocates continue to show up for survivors, regardless of the challenges ahead. Optimism because meaningful change is possible when people come together with a shared purpose.
At Respect Together, we are proud to stand alongside our partners across the country in advancing a future free from sexual violence.
And we will continue showing up wherever survivors need us, whether that is in our communities, in state capitols, or on Capitol Hill.