Survivors,Inc. News & Events

Our Community Education and Prevention Department works toward our mission of creating a world in which violence against women and children is unthinkable.  This is done through presentations and community appearances which spread knowledge of how each of us can help to change the societal ties of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.  We do a wide variety of presentations which are highly customizable.  If you are interested in more information please contact our Community Education Specialist at (717) 253-5302.  

Community Education Programs

        ATTENTION TEENS!!!

 Teenagers, ages 13 – 17, are invited to become part of a youth violence prevention campaign.  Rallying Youth Organizers Together (RYOT) Against Violence was started in 2003 as a statewide youth advisory board to help guide Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape’s (PCAR) Teen Sexual Violence Prevention Campaign.  With the input from the teen focus groups, PCAR produced materials such as Xpose the Truth CD, TeenEsteem Magazine and the Emmy-winning video “Gonna Make It.”

 Survivors, Inc. has recently begun a RYOT Against Violence Chapter in Adams County.  The RYOT members will be meet monthly and will be trained on various topics, such as, Dating Violence, Bullying, Date Acquaintance Rape, Sexual Harassment and Human Trafficking.  The participants will then assist in the prevention education through socio drama presentations, awareness campaigns and attend statewide trainings with other RYOT chapters.

Men Against Sexual Violence (MASV)

 Did you know that 70% of 9^th grade boys believed that if you had sex with a person previously, you have the right to have sex with them again – without their consent?  Our young boys need role models who will dispel this myth.  Men, who are will take a stand against all violence against women by educating themselves and taking it out to their social circle, place of employment and family.  

Cut It Out

Cut It Out has become a national program of the Salons Against Domestic Abuse Fund and is dedicated to mobilizing salon professionals and others to fight the epidemic of domestic abuse in communities.  Cut It Out builds awareness of domestic abuse and trains salon professionals to recognize warning signs and safely refer clients to local resources.

 Survivors, Inc. prevention education department has presented to several salons in Adams County and is available to present to salons for their staff meetings or will coordinate a time and location which is convenient for the salon and staff.  

What is stalking? Is it happening to you? What every stalking victim should know.

Stalking can happen to anyone. Stalking often happens when a woman is trying to leave a relationship.

Stalking involves following someone in a way that causes the victim to feel fearful or emotionally distressed. Here are some examples of stalking behavior:

• Following someone on foot or by car
• Watching someone at work or at home
• Sending unwanted letters or emails
• Making unwanted telephone calls
• Leaving unwanted cards, flowers or gifts

Many stalking victims think they did something to deserve the stalking behavior. However, this is not the case. Statistics show that stalking frequently occurs when someone tries to leave an abusive relationship. According to the Stalking Resource Centers Stalking Fact Sheet:

• 59% of female stalking victims are stalked by their intimate partner
• 30% of male stalking victims are stalked by their intimate partner

Is stalking a crime in Pennsylvania?

Stalking is a crime in Pennsylvania. There are two basic elements to the crime:

• The stalker must complete at least two acts of unwanted stalking behavior, no matter how close or far apart in time they are, and
• The victim must experience reasonable fear of serious bodily injury or substantial emotional distress.

The County District Attorney makes the final decision to file criminal charges in criminal cases, including stalking charges.

How can a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order help me?

A Protection From Abuse Order (PFA) is important tool for any stalking victim because it allows the police to arrest the stalker even if the police did not see the stalking behavior. The process for getting a PFA differs in every county, but the law requires the court to accept your petition without paying a filing fee. You will need to prove the following two things in order to get a PFA:

• You are either related to the stalker, married or previously married to the stalker, you have a child(ren) with the stalker, or you have an intimate relationship with the stalker (either sexual or dating), and
• You were followed or contacted by the stalker for no lawful reason and you fear that the stalker will cause you serious bodily injury. (There are ways to prove other abuse that does not involve stalking. Speak to a domestic violence advocate to find out more about PFAs.)

When you get a PFA you can ask the court to order that the stalker have no contact with you at home, work or school, as well as many other protections.

What is a Defiant Trespass Letter and how can it help?

Sending a stalker a letter telling them that you do not want them near your home, work or school and that you do not want contact with them can be a powerful tool. This kind of letter is most effective if you can prove the stalker received it and the police get a copy.

While this strategy may work in some cases, be careful not to reveal more information to the stalker than is necessary. Contact an attorney or discuss this option with your local domestic violence advocate if you have more questions.

How can filing a criminal charge help keep me safer?

If you are being stalked and a criminal complaint is filed, you may be eligible for a victim/witness protective order. This is a type of order that prosecutors may request for victims and witnesses in any criminal case, including stalking cases. A victim/witness protective order will allow police to arrest the stalker more quickly. The court may order the stalker to stay away from your home, work, school or even your neighborhood altogether.
The requirements for a criminal victim/witness protective order are:

• A criminal complaint must be filed;
• The prosecutor must request the protection from the court; and
• The court must find there is substantial evidence that the victim/witness has been or is likely to be intimidated.

Stalking victims should know that victim/witness protective orders are sometimes hard to get and the protection they give the victim only lasts until the criminal case is decided. If criminal charges are not filed or if the prosecutor doesn’t ask the court to issue a victim/witness protective order, you still have the other options previously described:

• A Protection From Abuse Order. Your relationship with the stalker must meet certain legal definitions in order to qualify for a PFA.
• A Defiant Trespass Letter: You may want to send the stalker a formal notice, with copies to your local police department, that you do not want to be followed or contacted.