New York, NY – Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) today announced that the final FY 2015-16 New York State budget includes $6.48 million in critically needed funding for support services to survivors of sexual assault as well for education and prevention by New York’s 76 rape crisis programs. This funding represents an increase of $3.6 million over last year’s budget appropriation of $2.88 million.

“After six months of working closely with the Governor’s office and advocates, I am so gratified that this partnership has resulted in a tremendous increase in funding for programs that are on the front lines in addressing rape and sexual violence,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal for whom this issue has been a top priority.

“Sexual assault, both on and off college campuses, has reached near epidemic levels,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. “The increased funding in the final budget recognizes the severity of the crisis and provides rape crisis centers with the resources necessary to provide education, intervention and direct supportive services that match the scope of the problem.”

In New York State, nearly one in five women and one in 76 men has been raped at some point in their lives. Nearly 1.4 million women have been raped and 3.8 million have experienced sexual assault other than rape in New York State alone.

“New York’s rape crisis centers are on the front lines in the battle to combat sexual violence,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. “These centers are a critical lifeline to survivors of sexual assault and, with New York’s move toward a system-wide policy on sexual assault at all colleges and universities, rape crisis centers will play an expanded role in sexual assault prevention and education. The additional funding will ensure that rape crisis centers have the resources they need to protect New York’s residents.”

“I am ecstatic that the Governor and the NYS State Legislature rallied to increase the funds to the rape crisis centers in the 2015-16 budget,” said Mary Haviland, Executive Director New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. “The new funding of $4.6 million will help rape crisis centers maintain their 24/7, quality services to victims of sexual assault and keep the promise that calling for help will result in healing process from this deeply destructive form of violence. And it will help prevention programs that were slated to close March 31st continue their work to ensure a future with less sexual assault. Furthermore, the Alliance is deeply grateful to Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal for her leadership on this issue and for the hours that she spent working with leaders from the field to address the funding challenges of this crucial network of services for survivors of sexual violence.”

Ariel Zwang, CEO, Safe Horizon has this to say: “Safe Horizon thanks the Governor, Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal and all of her colleagues in the NYS legislature for providing critically-needed funding to help ensure an immediate and compassionate response to survivors of rape and sexual assault. The NYS legislature should be commended for prioritizing these essential services in the budget process."

“I am grateful that legislators and the Governor recognized how badly sexual assault crisis intervention and prevention resources were needed and took action to ensure victims and survivors could access 24/7 services statewide,” said Joanne Zannoni, Executive Director, New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

“We want to applaud the Governor and the NYS Legislature for approving essential increases for sexual assault intervention and prevention services in the final budget. Through this funding, the Legislature is ensuring the continuation of critical services and prevention work across the State,” Randi K. Bregman, LMSW, Executive Director, Vera House, Inc.

“A true commitment to addressing sexual assault – on and off campus – means investing real dollars in services and prevention efforts,” said Sonia Ossorio, president of NOW NY. “Instead of slashing funding for rape crisis programs across the state, the Governor and lawmakers did the right thing by deciding to increase funding and show that New York is serious about addressing sexual assault and its prevention.”

According to the United States Department of Justice, 65% of all sexual assault cases are unreported. Despite this, rape crisis programs have seen a sharp increase in the number of new clients between 2011 and 2013. Rape crisis centers provide critical services to address this growing need in New York State. Rape crisis centers create and present educational curricula to middle and high school students, help educate and mobilize whole communities of sexual assault and rape and lead intervention efforts among boys and young men. In addition to education and prevention, rape crisis centers also provide direct services to survivors of sexual assault, including providing crisis counseling, and advocacy and support to survivors in emergency rooms and police stations.