State Budget Delivering A $12 Million Increase For Rape And Crisis Services

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Pennsylvania’s 2026-2027 state budget into law Sunday, July 12, delivering a $12 million increase for rape and crisis services.

The Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR) said this investment supports survivors and the statewide network of rape crisis centers that serve in all 67 counties. This increase nearly doubles the funding available for services and brings the total state appropriation to $24.171 million.

Services now include 24-hour crisis hotlines, counseling, medical and legal advocacy, prevention education, and accompaniment for survivors navigating hospitals, police investigations, and court proceedings.

Pennsylvania rape crisis centers have struggled for years with stagnant state funding, rising operating costs, growing demand and an 11% reduction in federal Victims of Crime Act funding since 2020. State funding remained stagnant during six of the previous 10 budget cycles, with last year’s prolonged budget impasse causing longer waitlists and more layoffs, service reductions and financial pressure across the network.

The 2026-2027 investment is the largest single-year increase for rape crisis services in Pennsylvania’s history