Mission & History

PAAR was Founded

PAAR was officially established as Pennsylvania’s first rape crisis center and one of the earliest rape crisis centers in the country. During PAAR’s first two years, the organization was membership and volunteer-driven providing only a 24-hour helpline and medical and legal advocacy.

PAAR became an official Rape Crisis Center

PAAR became a 501(C)(3) organization, providing sexual assault hotline services and medical/legal advocacy. Volunteers with professional skills in social work and psychology staffed PAAR and provided victim services.

PCAR was Founded

PAAR was one of 10 centers participating in CONCERN’75 – the regional conference that sparked Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape’s (PCAR) formation. PCAR is the nation’s first anti-rape coalition which unifies the efforts of 51 rape crisis centers today.

PAAR Found a Home in Pittsburgh

PAAR moved into its first home in Pittsburgh at 211 Oakland Avenue, which at the time was known as the new office in the University and City Ministries in Oakland. A newsletter in 1977 described it as “cozy and functional.”

PAAR Expanded Advocacy for Children

PAAR was one of the first organizations to recognize the growing need for counseling services for sexually abused children and thereby began to offer to counsel to child victims and their families.

Pittsburgh Took Back the Night

“Take Back the Night,” a phrase used by Ann Pride during her memorial at a 1977 anti-rape rally, sparked conversation amongst anti-rape organizations across the country. As a part of PAAR’s annual “Rape Week,” Pittsburgh saw it is first organized Take Back the Night march on Friday, October 19th.

Relocation Brought Expansion

To accommodate the growing need for office space, PAAR moved into 3712 Forbes Avenue. Previously this space was a student apartment that Judy Seibel lived in before becoming one of the founders of PAAR.

PAAR & The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

PAAR challenged the legal system and fought for the privacy rights of all rape victims. PAAR’s Executive Director Ann Pride refused to turn over client records and was held in contempt of court. On appeal, the case made its way to the State Supreme Court, resulting in the Pennsylvania State Legislature passing the first law in the nation recognizing total confidentiality in communications between victims and rape crisis counselors, known as the Rape Shield Law.

New Home Project Created a Place for Survivors

Formerly an abandoned church, 81 South Nineteenth Street was purchased as PAAR’s first permanent home. Drastic renovations took place throughout the year, and in 1991, PAAR Southside became open to the public.

PAAR Adapted to Building Collapse

During a storm, PAAR’s steeple collapsed through the roof, falling into the third floor of the building. PAAR’s team worked fast to reestablish the PAAR helpline within hours and secured space for counseling within three business days. Alison Hall, the Executive Director at the time, wrote in the following year’s annual report, “We counseled in stairwells, we cleaned up storage areas and turned them into makeshift offices and the work went on.”

PAAR Convened the Allegheny County Sex Offender Management and Containment Task Force

PAAR convenes Allegheny County Sex Offender Management and Containment Task Force to unify the efforts of local partners. It was the first-ever, county-wide task force with a victim-centered approach to sex offender management.

PAAR Became Involved in Coaching Boys Into Men Program

The Director of Crisis and Prevention Services, NAME, was invited to be a member of the national advisory board for “Coaching Boys Into Men,” which was established by FUTURES Without Violence.

Project Traffick Stop Addressed the Needs of Human Trafficking Survivors

PAAR opened a drop-in center for commercially sexually exploited victims in Allegheny County. Project Traffick Stop continues to provide a full continuum of services to empower survivors to reclaim their lives. The complex needs of victims would be addressed in a safe, welcoming environment that would help victims begin their path to independence, safety, and healing from their trauma.

PAAR Expanded Beyond Pittsburgh

PAAR opens the doors to a Mon Valley satellite office in Braddock, Pa. This office will enable more victims of sexual violence living in an entire region of Allegheny County to receive consistent trauma therapy with a credentialed therapist along with the complete core victim services and all services they are entitled to by reducing transportation barriers.

PAAR Continued Work During COVID-19

PAAR began to offer telehealth services for clients due to the COVID 19 pandemic. In addition, all of our services and programs were offered remotely to continue to provide clients with every possible way to receive help and education.

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape Names New Executive Director

After an extensive and rigorous search, PAAR was thrilled to announce the selection of a new Executive Director to lead PAAR – Pittsburgh Action Against Rape. The PAAR board and executive search committee chose Lisa Perry to serve as the organization’s new Executive Director.

Project Traffick Stop becomes Project RISE

PAAR changed its drop-in center name to Project R.I.S.E. to reflect the Resilience, Independence, Strength, and Empowerment they see within their clients every day.

Project R.I.S.E. highlights the self-determination to rise above the challenges they face and to use their talents and abilities to not just survive through another day, but to eventually thrive for the weeks, months, and years to come.

Today PAAR continues its mission to Respond, Educate and Advocate to end sexual violence.