SPOKANE, Wash. — Lutheran Community Services may significantly reduce its victim advocacy programs due to shrinking federal and state grants, forcing the organization to lay off several employees including those who work with sexual assault victims.
State grant money for victim advocates has declined by more than 80% over the past eight years. The cuts could affect 20-50% of programs the organization considers critical to maintain core services.
“The community sexual assault center provides 24-hour response to our area hospital to provide support to survivors when they are coming in for a sexual assault examination, or a forensic medical examination,” said Erin Carden, director of advocacy and education for Lutheran Community Services.
Among those laid off was Juliane Rohr, who worked on call as a sexual assault nurse and was the only nurse available to respond to all five Spokane hospitals to help sexual assault survivors.
“[I would] respond to the hospital, often advocacy if the patient would like an advocate. We would respond as a team so that was also helpful in terms of supporting the patient as well, us responding together,” Rohr said.
Rohr also helped educate other nurses on assisting victims of sexual assault and spotting warning signs. Since her layoff, that education is no longer happening.
Lutheran Community Services expects to have a clearer picture of its future after the state legislative session concludes. The organization hopes people will contact their legislators in support of the victim advocacy programs.
Lutheran Community Services has a 24/7 sexual assault support line at 509-624-7273.
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