Annual Giving Campaign
This year, we’ve made incredible strides in the fight to end sexual violence—and with your support, we can do even more.
2024 marks another remarkable year of policy advancements, bringing positive, lasting change to the lives of survivors across NC. In recent years, we have seen a rise in technology-facilitated sexual violence, including the use of ‘deepfakes.’ This involves using AI to superimpose another person’s face onto explicit images without their consent, often with the intent to harm their reputation. Before House Bill 591, individuals could distribute such images without facing adequate legal consequences. This harmful trend, particularly prevalent among youth in North Carolina, prompted NCCASA to take swift action. We worked tirelessly with lawmakers to pass critical legislation, giving survivors more options for both criminal justice and civil remedies. These policy changes continue to empower survivors to reclaim their autonomy, reputation, and privacy.
In addition to creating lasting policy change, NCCASA has received valuable feedback directly from survivors on the impact of our advocacy and legal services:
“‘Thank you’ cannot do justice for the support and guidance you have given me over the past few months. I’m forever grateful that you took on faith and courage to believe me and represent me when it felt like nobody else would.”
Without the monetary support of our community, our capacity to represent survivors, advocate for survivor protections, and educate to prevent sexual violence would not be possible. As we look forward to the future, we are committed to continue meeting the needs of survivors, making sure they feel safe, heard and seen in their healing journey.
Will you join our commitment to create even greater impact in 2025? We have a goal of raising $10,000 in unrestricted dollars this year to continue to provide legal services and policy change. Every dollar you give helps build a future where survivors are empowered and safe spaces are the norm, not the exception.
- You can scan the QR code below to donate instantly online.
- Have questions or want to make a donation with a staff member’s help? Call us at (919) 871-1015.
Please note that you can choose to make your gift recurring, ensuring sustainable support for our mission year-round.
With your partnership, we can continue to stand with survivors and work toward ending sexual violence for all people. It is up to us to continue to create and sustain safer, healthier, and more equitable communities–the ones we deserve and can thrive in collectively and joyfully.
Thank you for being an essential member of our community.
In Solidarity,
NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) Team
December 3rd was the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face unique challenges in navigating sexual health and relationships, including that individuals with IDD are sexually assaulted at higher rates–up to 9 times– compared to those without IDD. Other nuanced challenges involve a lack of structural access, erasure in society and media, and systemic challenges in accessing comprehensive sexual health education. Addressing these issues comprehensively requires going beyond accommodation—it demands a shift towards inclusive practices that empower individuals with IDD to advocate for themselves and navigate complex social landscapes. Advocates for sexual violence prevention play a critical role in fostering this inclusivity by rethinking how education is delivered and tailored to diverse needs.
As mentioned, a key distinction must be made between accommodation, modification, and inclusion when designing sexual health education and prevention curricula. Specifically, accommodations involve removing barriers within existing structures, such as providing visual aids or simplified language to support understanding. Modifications go a step further, adjusting content to meet specific needs, like emphasizing safety plans or addressing the unique risks of online exploitation. Inclusion, however, integrates individuals with IDD into sexual health education frameworks without isolating or “othering” their experiences. It requires designing curricula that normalize diverse learning needs and foster universal skills such as consent, bodily autonomy, and boundary-setting. While accommodations and modifications are useful tools, the goal should be creating spaces and materials that are universally accessible and inclusive from the start.
To create inclusive practices, prevention advocates must emphasize proactive and collaborative strategies and build networks between the sexual violence prevention movement and the disability justice movement. To add, advocates should actively include individuals with IDD in conversations about their education and safety. This means not only soliciting feedback but also creating opportunities for individuals with IDD to lead workshops, share experiences, and co-design curricula. Recognizing individuals with IDD as experts in their own lives empowers them and ensures their needs and perspectives are prioritized. For more information on how to talk about sexual violence as an advocate or health professional, explore The Arc, an organization that advocates for people with IDD.
It is also necessary to address the stigma surrounding the sexual development of individuals with IDD. People with IDD experience the same biological changes and feelings as their neurotypical peers, and denying this can lead to shame and misinformation. By normalizing these experiences, advocates help create an environment where individuals feel safe seeking guidance and asking questions.
With a heightened understanding of the experience of people with IDD, advocates can better support individuals with IDD in navigating their sexual health and safety, fostering environments where they are informed, respected, and empowered.
For a specific resource on supporting survivors of human trafficking with IDD, click here.
To hear direct survivor voices and to access short training videos for professionals, focus group findings, and more, check out the “Talk About Violence” webpage from the Arc.
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November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the history, cultures, and significant contributions of Native American communities while also recognizing the challenges they continue to face. This month of celebration traces its origins back to the early 20th century, when Seneca archaeologist Dr. Arthur C. Parker advocated for a day dedicated to recognizing Native Americans. In 1916, New York became the first state to observe "American Indian Day," and in 1990, President George H.W. Bush proclaimed November as National Native American Heritage Month.
This month is also a powerful reminder that the fight for Indigenous sovereignty, reparations, and cultural preservation is ongoing. We must recognize and address how systems of oppression, including settler colonialism, continue to affect Indigenous peoples' right to freedom and well-being.
One of the most urgent public health issues in the United States is the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) epidemic. Indigenous women in the U.S. face violence at significantly higher rates than other groups, with homicide being one of the leading causes of death for Indigenous women under 44 (Urban Indian Health Institute, 2018). Due to systemic gaps in data collection, law enforcement jurisdictional challenges, and insufficient media coverage, many cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women go unreported and unresolved, contributing to a heinous cycle of inaction.
It's essential to learn from the leaders, advocates, and organizations who are shaping the movement to combat violence against Indigenous women. Community-driven efforts, such as those led by Indigenous activists, grassroots organizations, and tribal leaders, are at the forefront of raising awareness and advocating for justice. Organizations like the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC), Native Hope, and Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) work tirelessly to address gaps in data collection, support families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and push for policy changes that protect tribal, land, and Indigenous sovereignty.
Specific to challenges around law enforcement and jurisdiction, advocates are calling for comprehensive reforms, including improved evaluation and data collection efforts, expanded federal support, and stronger interjurisdictional coordination among tribal, federal, and state law enforcement. Recently, initiatives such as Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act have been enacted to improve law enforcement response, though much more work remains to ensure these efforts are fully implemented, monitored, and supported.
At a community level, Indigenous-led organizations are promoting prevention through culturally grounded programs that empower women and educate communities. Some are creating databases and networks for tracking missing cases, while others are providing legal aid, mental health resources, and safe spaces for survivors and families. Healing through traditional practices, ceremonies, and community gatherings is also central to these efforts.
In order to address the MMIW crisis, it is critical for allies, policymakers, and community members to stand in solidarity, uplift and learn from Indigenous voices, and commit to action that respects tribal sovereignty and supports sustainable change. Together, we must honor those lost, support survivors, and work toward a future where Indigenous women and girls are protected, valued, and safe.
As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, let's continue to reflect on the critical role of Indigenous leaders in creating sustainable solutions, while committing ourselves to anti-racism, cultural preservation, and solidarity with Indigenous communities. By supporting Indigenous-led movements and advocating for the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous people, we collectively move towards a more equitable and inclusive society.
To learn more about getting involved, explore the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women and the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center. These organizations, along with many others, offer resources, learning materials, programming, policy information, funding, and opportunities for advocacy.
Citations
Urban Indian Health Institute. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls: A Snapshot of Data from 71 Urban Cities in the United States. Seattle, WA, 2018. https://www.uihi.org/resources/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-girls/
The Lending Library has been a long time benefit for members of NCCASA. As times have changed, we have seen less checkouts which has left our shelves full. In order to adapt to what members tell us they need, we will be clearing our shelves and moving forward we will be doing orders of books that are directly sent to your agency without having to request. To make this transition we are asking for your help to get the books we have into the hands of your agency/advocates.
For those who are not familiar with the lending library, individuals could complete a checkout form and the book was sent directly to them. While the service was called "Lending Library" there was no lending. Once the book was requested, the individual/agency could keep it.
Starting today, agencies/individuals can order as many books they would like and multiple copies. The books will be first come, first serve.
We will actively remove books as they are checked out. To begin ordering, click here.
Dear Advocates,
It is with a heavy heart that we reach out to you during this challenging time. Our state has once again faced a natural disaster.
In response, NCCASA, NCCADV, and CFWYI are collaborating to support our programs and survivors in the west. We are currently gathering information from the programs on their needs, understanding that these will become clearer as time progresses. We are committed to providing assistance and are implementing disaster relief protocols, given our state’s experience with such events.
Some programs are able to continue operating their crisis calls, while others have forwarded their lines to neighboring programs that are able to assist.
In these difficult times, it’s essential that we listen and allow those affected to communicate their needs. As you can imagine, programs impacted by Helene are navigating relief efforts and meeting the needs of the survivors they serve and the needs of their own friends and families. As a result, we ask that if you are able to offer assistance, resources, or support please reach out to one of the Coalitions and we will facilitate the connections. This will ensure the impacted programs are not overwhelmed by calls and messages during this challenging time. The exceptions would be if you are a neighboring program who could reach them with resources or you have a personal relationship with a staff member at an impacted program.
To our colleagues in the west, know that we are here for you and will continue to offer support as needed. To our colleagues in the east, we will keep you updated on how you can contribute.
Thank you for your compassion and partnership,
CFWYI, NCCASA & NCCADV