ORANGE COUNTY, N.C. – Significant cuts in government funding have left the Orange County Rape Crisis Center in a desperate situation. This week it announced plans to cut staff by 50% and reduce or eliminate many services.
The nonprofit was started in 1974, and over the past 50 years it has grown to serve all of Orange County — operating a 24-hour hotline and introducing programs to public schools. The current situation has led executive director Rachel Valentine to call the community to action.
“The last several years, the federal funding pot that supports victim services across the country has been deteriorating and it's expected to be completely dry by the end of 2024,” Valentine said. “We're looking to our community now to find out whether this is something that the community wants to have in Orange County.”
Over the last three years she said they’ve seen a decrease of $800,000 in government contracts. Even with the drastic cuts they’re implementing at the center, Valentine said they still have a $250,000 deficit to overcome — the real question is whether this will be enough or if they will have to cut even more in the future.
“It's hard to fundraise for rape,” Valentine said. “Most people would rather pretend it's not happening.”
Programs offered at the center include survivor meet-ups, crisis counseling, court advocacy, job training and emergency housing. When the center opened, it was completely run by volunteers and private funding, and Valentine said it’s up to the community to embrace that model again.
The center has seen an 80% increase in the number of survivors using its services this year compared with two years ago. Valentine said it’s heartbreaking to see the need growing while resources rapidly disappear.
“We've definitely had a lot of folks who are really worried, right? They're worried. Does this mean that I won't be able to get services or that my kids won't be able to get services?” Valentine said. “We want people to know that things are going to look different, but that we're still here. The lights are still on, the hotline is still live.”
The organization still plans to move forward with opening a second location in Hillsborough later this year. Valentine said donations are always welcome but there are many ways for people to get involved and be part of the solution.
“Survivors are your teachers, your neighbors, your family members,” Valentine said. “Everybody in our community cares about a survivor, whether they know that person is a survivor or not and this is a chance for us to step up and demonstrate it.”