RRC Mission and History
 
 
Rape Recovery Center Mission Statement
To empower those victimized by sexual violence through advocacy, crisis intervention and therapy and to educate the community about the cause, impact, and prevention of sexual violence.

Philosophy: That every person victimized by sexual violence is treated with dignity and respect and is empowered to work toward recovery.

We uphold the highest professional standards and are accountable to our clients, partners, donors, and the greater community.

We recognize and validate all experiences through respect for diversity of culture, race, gender, socioeconomic status, physical and mental abilities, faith and sexual orientation.

We embrace and value diversity in our staff, board, and volunteers. As an organization that supports inclusion, we utilize the unique talents of all people.

We believe in social justice and work to improve and enhance systems to better serve victims.

We understand that sexual violence is a deeply rooted community problem. As such we are dedicated to developing community alliances to better serve people effected by sexual violence and work toward its elimination.

We provide information and education designed to improve the understanding of the causes and prevention of sexual assault.

We represent our collective victims and speak and act publicly on their behalf.

We work toward the day when sexual violence is part of history, rather than a part of our daily lives.

 

Our History
In 1974, a small group of volunteers and community leaders in Salt Lake City initiated a local community rape awareness program. They put together the first team of local volunteers for the purpose of going to hospital emergency rooms to support survivors of rape and sexual assault. In January 1975, the Salt Lake Rape Crisis Center was incorporated as a private non-profit organization and by 1978, the Center had the 24-hour crisis line in place.

In 1980, the Rape Crisis Center, the Salt Lake District Attorney’s Office, local police departments, local hospitals and the Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office jointly established a protocol for victims reporting crimes of rape. This procedure, called the Code R, was designed to provide immediate service to victims of rape through a standardized rape evidence collection process, medical case and crisis intervention.

In 1995, the Salt Lake Rape Crisis Center was renamed Rape Recovery Center (RRC) to symbolize the hope of recovery. In addition, the RRC administered the statewide coalition, CAUSE (now UCASA) at the Center.

In our 33rd year of service, the RRC is refocusing on our core mission. With a tight budget and a leaner staff, we must spend our resources and time efficiently—on those services and programs that have the most impact. We’ll stay focused on what the RRC has always done best: advocating for victims, addressing systemic problems, and working toward a societal paradigm shift—in the hopes of preventing sexual violence in the first place.

The RRC's annual operating budget for fiscal year 2007-08 is $472,202. Funding for RRC programs is received from a diverse group of funders including federal programs such as Victims of Crime Ace (VOCA), S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Ace (VAWA) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from several sources including Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Murray, Taylorsville and Midvale. The RRC also receives funding from numerous private foundations, corporations and individuals. In addition, the RRC is a United Way of Salt Lake Community Partner.

For a copy of the RRC's most recent Audited Financial Statements or IRS Form 990, please email the Executive Director, Heather Stringfellow at h.stringfellow@raperecoverycenter.org or visit www.guidestar.org