Alternative House, US

HistoryThe second oldest rape crisis center in the country, BARCC was founded in 1973 in the Cambridge Women's Center by a group of volunteers and survivors dedicated to building a hotline to answer calls from rape survivors. The engagement of community volunteers remains a critical strategy in achieving BARCC's mission. One of the other key strategies for achieving BARCC's mission is the recruitment and retention of outstanding talent in our internship program and staff and bold partnerships to facilitate change. In April 2009, BARCC received the National Crime Victim Service Award from the Department of Justice. Today, we are a national leader in providing comprehensive, free services for survivors of sexual violence as well as educating organizations and communities about sexual violence response and prevention. In the field, BARCC is known for staying at the leading edge of change by listening to the diversity of survivors and families that seek services, working to grow and innovateSpecialtiesThe Boston Area Rape Crisis Center provides free, confidential support and services to survivors of sexual violence ages 12 and up and their families and friends. We work with survivors of all genders from the immediate crisis after sexual violence to years and decades later, and our goal is to empower survivors to heal. We also work with a wide range of organizations and communities, including schools, colleges, and police, to advocate for change. We provide training in how to respond to survivors and create cultures that prevent sexual violence in the first place. Our services include a 24-7 hotline, 24-7 medical advocacy, case management (assistance with housing, health care, and more), counseling, legal advocacy, and more. Services in English and Spanish, with other languages upon request. Please note that our hotline is available by phone 24-7 at 800-841-8371 and by web chat 9:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. at barcc.org/chat. If you need to reach our office line, call 617-492-8306. Our office hours vary, but our office is generally open Monday through Friday during normal business hours.