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Group addresses enduring problem of sexual assault
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Related Topics: Arnold, Md.
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Jennifer Pollitt-Hill, executive director of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault Inc. on Monday in Arnold.
Arnold, Md. (Map, News) - Silence is not golden for rape victims.
If rape remains the crime whose name dare not be spoken, one local group is nevertheless clamoring to correct an age-old problem that led to almost 1,300 reported rapes in Maryland in 2005 and a legal situation that accords rapists paternity rights on par with those of all fathers.
“We were originally formed by the local rape recovery centers in Maryland 25 years ago to provide state-level advocacy and coordination around sexual violence issues,” said Jennifer Pollitt-Hill, executive director of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault in Arnold. “So partly we serve as a clearinghouse of information of what’s going on in these areas.”
Pollitt-Hill pointed out the FBI’s 2005 rape statistics for Maryland — the latest available final figures and numbers that put the state, at 22.6 per 100,000 population, only 3.4 points behind California — are a fraction of the state’s yearly rape crisis center consultations, a troubling lagging indicator Pollitt-Hill attributes to an enduring societal and legal bias against the crime’s reporting.
“There are so many reasons [for underreporting],” she said, saying that one in eight Maryland women have been raped, and the 2000 national conviction rate for reported rapes was only 12 percent. “You have victims who don’t want to report because of the way they’re going to be treated. You have law enforcement that will judge whether a victim is worthy or not. And, once evidence is collected, you have prosecutors who have to decide if it’s a winnable case,” she said.
The 10-employee, $500,000-per-year nonprofit addresses the situation through lobbying, agency coordination, research, technical assistance and training — in forensic examinations, for example — for its two-dozen member organizations, including 18 statewide rape crisis centers.
“In this area we need someone to coordinate things, and to be the spokesperson,” said Rosalyn Branson, executive director of Turnaround, a Towson-based rape crisis center, “and MCASA does a really good job of that.”
MCASA is lobbying for Maryland Senate and House bills that would limit rapists’ paternity rights, and it is pushing for state compliance with federal Violence Against Women Act provisions waiving police reports as a condition of rape-related forensic examinations.
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3:03 PM MST on Tue., Aug. 26, 2008 re: "Franciscan Center helps needy become self-sufficient"
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Examiner Reader said:
We need to see an updated story on the center they celebrate 40 years this year.
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Examiner Reader said:
Funny that the point has been lost in this article.Better take a good look at what you get into.
18 agree | 16 disagree
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James Hall said:
I'm honored and blessed to be working in the Youth Service arena, however I'm having difficulties locating events and activities for our youngmen who range from 12 through 18. The Summer for AT-RISK youth can offten be extremely dissapointing. If your agency has any resources that we can access please forward them to: James Hall; diamona4sure@yahoo.com. Our kids would really be greatful and appreciative!!! Mr. James Hall, Counselor Our Fortress Homes, Inc. 410-485-4958
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Examiner Reader said:
I guess the answer to my previous question is, "No, Mr. Corrigan is incapable of writing about anything other than Nonprofits." I guess the Examiner realizes that if he writes about anything else, Mr. Corrigan only spouts he own political views instead of reporting.
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Examiner Reader said:
While I realize that Mr. Corrigan has limited writing skills and he enjoys wearing out his Thesaurus in an attempt to impress people with his vocabulary, can't he write about anything other than Nonprofits?
26 agree | 16 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
At least this time Mr. Corrigan wrote a variation on his theme of the past 10 weeks, instead of just the same story with different words.
25 agree | 17 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It seems as though the Examiner just lets Mr. Corrigan recycle the same story every week or so, and has let him do it for about the last 9 weeks. As much as I support recycling, I think it might be time for a new topic.
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Examiner Reader said:
It's only a matter of time. Plan thoroughly, consider all options, and where roadblocks are placed before you, find alternatives. Remember that during the Katrina evac, all the buses where in the up-scale part of town that the walkers from poor sections couldn't get to in time. Please be careful. People need you, but there are those who don't want you to succeed.
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Examiner Reader said:
With all the shady, non-taxed, I mean, so-called, non-profits in Maryland, working for a non-profit is working in the private sector.
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Huh? said:
"[T]his $1.6 million, 22-employee nonprofit has a track record to support its claim." Okay, fair enough. So, what's the track record? Also, if the org has helped about 1,000 women since 1994, that's fewer than 90 women per year and there are 22 employees! It had better be successful at that ratio. Another point: Not-for-profit is merely a tax status. It does not mean that administrators cannot earn a handsome salary. I am not suggesting that is the case here but there's a reason these places don't share that info without being asked.
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Examiner Reader said:
As a woman in recovery who needed balance in my life recovery houses such as M artha"s Place deserve to recieve all the available resources to help restore self-esteem, and save lives. How can we mimnimize lives by withholding funds. I am an alumni who's life has been restored because of Martha's Place! I thank God for Elder & Mrs.Harris for leaping out into an area many others have not and willnot accept the challenage to save lives!
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Examiner Reader said:
Hi! Thank you so much for printing this article. It is a wonderful summary of what this incredible organization does. My husband works for Jeff Singer. Jeff is an incredibly humble, gracious and loving person. He truly cares about each person who comes through his Center. He deeply appreciates the job that everyone does on a daily basis. One can only truly appreciate the magnificent compassion and respect this organization offers to our homeless friends by visiting the center and helping face-to-face, hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart as this family reaches out to those in need. Thanks again for helping to make our neighbors aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters and the assistance provided by these loving angels of mercy!
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Matthew C. Andrea said:
Please post the contact information for PlayPumps International. This concept is brilliant, fun and uplifting. Definitely something that I would like to support.
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Examiner Reader said:
When is Montgomery County going to realize that Casa of MD is taking them/us to the cleaners?
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