State Funding Cuts May Doom Rape Crisis Centers

By Kaye Petralia

Recently, I read Pat Rice's Dec. 7 column in the Daily News ("The issue even journalists rarely discuss"), which was on the subject of suicide. As he commented, suicide stems from depression. Although the column was influenced by the death of our beloved Judge G. Robert Barron, I would like to talk about suicide in a different context.

Victims of rape and domestic violence suffer a "life sentence" while the perpetrators often go free or have minimum incarceration. Bridgeway Center's Crisis Hotline volunteers work diligently to help those considering suicide to find other ways to deal with the serious problems they face. It is estimated by the Web site www.suicide.org that almost one-third of rape victims have suicidal thoughts and 13 percent attempt suicide. This shows the depth of pain suffered by the victims. It is unacceptable for our governing officials to deny them the assistance they deserve.

Several years ago, there were massive federal, state and local cuts in spending for victims of crime. As a result, victim advocate positions were eliminated all over the state, and victims were left without adequate advice and assistance. Bridgeway Center Inc., with its long history of helping our community, stepped up and enhanced its victim services, even though these are uncompensated services.

I was fortunate to be hired as Rape Crisis Center supervisor and have been grateful for the commitment to victims shown by Bridgeway and its management. Our Crisis Hotline and Rape Crisis Center are among the oldest in Florida - founded in 1975 - and are composed of certified and dedicated volunteers who have been extensively trained in helping those in our community who need our services.

The Department of Health has included the complete elimination of the Rape Crisis Program Trust Fund (RCPTF), the state's main source of funding for rape crisis centers, in its recommended cuts for 2009. This $2 million cut would destroy vital services for thousands of victims of rape but do nothing to improve the state's budget outlook because all funds in the RCPTF are derived from fines on offenders - none of these funds come from general revenue. Ironically, the very funds collected to assist victims will be transferred to Florida's general revenue fund.

Bridgeway's Rape Crisis Center programs would have to be reduced dramatically or even eliminated because of these cuts.

Victims of sexual assault who do not receive recovery services are at increased risk for substance abuse, suicide, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder as well as serious physical health effects. The state of Florida is asking innocent survivors of sexual violence to make do with a bare minimum safety net. We cannot ask those traumatized by crime to get by without help and do nothing as rape crisis centers close their doors.

Our legislators must oppose cuts to rape crisis centers.

As mental health providers, we at Bridgeway have seen firsthand what happens when there is not quick and adequate intervention after a traumatic and violent crime. An amendment to the Florida Constitution (Article I, Section 16(b)) giving additional rights to victims of crimes was passed by 90 percent of voters in November 1988. The much-needed and hard fought-for strides made in recognizing and addressing victims' issues are in danger of being wiped away.

Please let your voices be heard by addressing your concerns to your state legislators.