Presentations for Special Populations

Sex Workers

People who use sex work as an income strategy experience an increased risk of sexual assault. Because these assaults often occur in the context of an illegal act, sex workers are less likely to report the crime and to be believed by authorities. The DC Rape Crisis Center provides services to all survivors of sexual violence and addresses all facets of sex work by conducting outreach to street workers, dancers and those exploited within the commercial sex industry by working with Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive, Different Avenues and Polaris Project. Workshops designed for this community address a variety of pertinent topics from human trafficking to street harassment and harm reduction. Click here to request a presentation.

Latinas

One in three Latina women, 18 to 50, experience at least one incident of sexual abuse. However, due to language barriers, fear of deportation and cultural issues, Latina women are less likely to report sexual victimization or reach out to service agencies for assistance. DC Rape Crisis Center works with Ayuda Inc. and Carlos Rosario International School to be present in and for the metro area’s Latina communities. DCRCC provides culturally competent Spanish-language community presentations addressing reporting procedures, immigration options for survivors and commonly held myths around sexual violence. Click here to request a presentation.

Deaf

Deaf and hard of hearing individuals are 200 percent more likely to be assaulted than hearing individuals. Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing women experience additional risks related to their deafness and access to fewer resources in a hearing dominated world. Working closely with Deaf Abused Women’s Network, the DC Rape Crisis Center provides presentations addressing self-defense and resources specific to the community. Click here to request a presentation.

Homeless

Homeless sexual assault survivors have to deal with the trauma of their attack within the context of societal alienation, lack of access to legal and medical resources and physical destitution. By working with organizations such as the Dinner Program for Homeless Women, DC Rape Crisis Center is meeting the community on the street, in food programs and shelters. DCRCC uses every opportunity to education the community around the relationship between substance abuse and sexual violence, safety planning and sexual harassment in shelter settings. Click here to request a presentation.

Low-Income

Persons with a household income under $7,500 are twice as likely as the general population to be sexual assault survivors. The community experiences a lack of access to legal resources and medical care in addition to stigmatization and a lack of adequate social support. By working with service providers such as N Street Village and local transitional housing programs, the DCRCC works to educate the community around available resources and explores the relationship between oppression and sexual violence. Click here to request a presentation.

Sexual Minorities

52% of gay men and lesbians reported at least one incident of coercion by a same-sex partner. Sexual minorities are affected by all forms of sexual violence and may also be targeted as a part of a hate crime. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and/or queer identified individuals also face additional barriers to reporting and accessing services that include homophobia, transphobia, a lack of familial support and being “outed.” Working with Whitman-Walker Clinic Lesbian Services Program and Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League make it possible for the DC Rape Crisis Center do address community concerns and provide workshops addressing street harassment, myths and facts and self-defense. Click here to request a presentation.