City of Pittsburgh - File #: 2026-0050

• File #: 2026-0050
• Version: 1
• Type: Will of Council
• Status: To Be Presented
• File created: 1/16/2026
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 1/21/2026
• Title: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh, affirms its commitment to the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of survivors of sexual violence, recognizes the critical and irreplaceable role of Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) and rape crisis centers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and calls upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly to immediately include increased, ongoing funding for rape crisis centers in the next Commonwealth budget; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City Council recognizes that sustained and adequate investment is required to preserve uninterrupted 24-hour crisis response, trauma-informed care, prevention education, and advocacy for survivors and their families, and acknowledges the leadership and support of the Gender Equity Commission of the City of Pittsburgh in advancing this resolution.
• Sponsors: Deborah L. Gross, All Members
• Indexes: WILL OF COUNCIL

Body
Will of Council calling on the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to increase funding for Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) and rape crisis centers in future budget cycles.

WHEREAS, Founded in 1972, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) was established as Pennsylvania's first rape crisis center and one of the earliest such organizations in the United States; and,

WHEREAS, PAAR emerged from a community response following sexual assaults during the 1971 World Series celebrations, when a task force formed by the National Organization for Women evolved into what is now PAAR; and,

WHEREAS, Over the decades, PAAR has grown from a volunteer-led helpline and advocacy effort into a comprehensive survivor-support organization and remains the only agency in Allegheny County solely dedicated to addressing sexual violence; and,

WHEREAS, PAAR also has a longstanding legacy of systems advocacy in Pennsylvania, including efforts to strengthen confidentiality protections for survivors and rape crisis communications; and,

WHEREAS, PAAR's mission is to respond, educate, and advocate to end sexual violence and PAAR provides essential, no-cost, trauma-informed services to survivors of sexual violence throughout Allegheny County; and,

WHEREAS, PAAR serves survivors of sexual assault, rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation or sex trafficking, as well as their loved ones, which includes services to children, teens, and adults of all genders and backgrounds; and,

WHEREAS, PAAR's core services include a 24/7 confidential helpline, in-person crisis response and accompaniment during hospital forensic exams, and advocacy at police stations and throughout criminal, civil, and campus processes; and,

WHEREAS, PAAR also operates the Child & Family Counseling Center, offers specialized services through Project RISE for individuals experiencing commercial sexual exploitation or trafficking, and provides prevention education and training for schools, professionals, ...