(July 20, 2001) marked the first anniversary of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), a project of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the establishment of this resource center in support of the anti-sexual violence movement demonstrated greater recognition that sexual assault is both a major health issue and an all too frequent crime. According to Karen Baker, NSVRC Project Director, "The NSVRC fills a real need as a national clearinghouse for resources and support. We recently received our 1000th request for information, underscoring the magnitude of the need for information about sexual violence." Baker adds, "Although gratified by our progress, we know that the task before us is large and daunting!

Sexual assault is not a rare, social aberration, but rather, a horrific crime that affects an estimated 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men." Baker explains, " Sometimes the media will cover cases of sexual assault such as the recent, alleged rape of a Japanese woman in Okinawa by US servicemen, or last year's Central Park episodes of sexual violence; but equally traumatic stories occur frequently, everyday, across the nation and in silence." According to a study conducted by the National Victim Center, 1.3 women (age 18 and over) in the US are forcibly raped each minute. That translates to 78 per hour, 1,871 per day or 683,000 per year. Baker adds, "There are many forms of sexual violence beyond forced, stranger rape. Sexual violence includes drug-facilitated rape, acquaintance rape, intimate-partner rape, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, pornography and stalking." Baker explained, "The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) received the funding to create the NSVRC in part because of its well-recognized success as a state coalition."

According to Delilah Rumburg, Executive Director of PCAR, "The NSVRC is making a real difference by providing information and assistance to service providers and advocates nationwide. We are impressed with the work being done by local programs, and by state and territory coalitions; the NSVRC helps identify and facilitate the sharing of resources. This one year anniversary offers real cause for celebration, for the anti-sexual violence movement and for the nation!" The NSVRC's website, www.NSVRC.org, provides additional information.