Press

At the Rape Crisis Center, we believe that building connected communities is a vital step towards creating a world free from sexual violence.

Sexual assault has a far-reaching impact that extends beyond the survivor and directly affects the social fabric that binds communities.

San Antonio was one of 50 cities in the U.S. to receive a grant for the Rape Crisis Center of San Antonio to put on an event.

We're excited to announce our Summer 2022 Volunteer Spotlight: Stephanie Leonard. Her service to RCC has been invaluable to the organization. Read more about her experience and how you can get involved today!

The Rape Crisis Center presents our all male lead virtual panel on masculinity, rape culture, and what “being a man” really means. There are many challenges and obstacles that a man faces throughout their life. Each of these men will share their unique and personal experiences with masculinity and how they have used their voice to disrupt the normalities of rape culture. Panelists include Mike Johnson, Sean Woods, William Lynch, Julius Hunter, and Máximo Anguiano. Have questions that you want to be asked in the panel? Please send them to Jasmine Chavira at jchavira@rapecrisis.com. Click here to register for the event.  Mike Johnson Mike Johnson rose to national stardom throughout the summer of 2019, appearing on ABC’s hit series “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise”.  He quickly emerged as a authentic, leading voice as audiences fell in love with his kind heart, joyous demeanor, Air Force veteran background, and vulnerability.  Once leaving reality television, Johnson embraced his newfound audience and turned his attention to philanthropic work, national speaking engagements, and writing his debut book, “Making the Love You Want”.  Today, Johnson continues to transform audiences by showcasing his global influence through brave storytelling and breaking ground on conversations within sexology. […]

Founded in 2017 by the nonprofit TRL Productions, BexarFest pairs high school media production teams from Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties with local nonprofit organizations to create outreach media for the nonprofit to use in its marketing campaigns.  The videos are entered into a contest and winners are chosen in several categories. The Rape Crisis Center and NESA teamed up and won the Most Creative award.     See coverage on News 4SA. Check out all the 2020 Bexar Fest entries.

Press Conference to be held on April 17, 2016 at 10:30 AM outside on steps of San Antonio City Hall Each year during the month of April, government agencies, community-based organizations, rape crisis centers, universities and individuals participate in Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month (SAAPM), a campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault crimes and educate the community on how to prevent it.   “Sexual assault is a crime that significantly impacts the City of San Antonio. The Rape Crisis Center responds to 2 to 3 new assaults every day and 50 percent of those incidents are against minors,” says Miriam Elizondo, Executive Director of The Rape CrisisCenter.   In Texas, 1 in 5 men and 2 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.  According to the U.S. Department of Justice Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) statistics for San Antonio, there were 1,190 sexual assaults reported to law enforcement.  Yet a 2015 statewide research report by the University of Texas at Austin shows that in Texas, only 9.2% of victims are reporting their assaults.   The Rape Crisis Center in San Antonio provides intervention, counseling, and advocacy services to children and adult victims of all forms […]

SAN ANTONIO – A state lawmaker wants to use crowdfunding to help end the rape kit backlog. But instead of using a site like GoFundMe, Texans would have the option to donate during the driver licensing process. “Rape Crisis Center hotline,” says an operator answering the phone at nonprofit’s main office on San Antonio’s northwest side. From the first phone call, the staff there helps sexual assault victims get through the painful journey. “A lot of times when we meet them at the hospital, they’re numb. They’re in shock,” says deputy director Deana Franks. “Part of that is processing that kit. I feel that it shows that we believe something happened to them.” To test those kits, the state is setting aside $4.29 million in the next budget. But a Dallas-area lawmaker says it’s not enough. “That funding does not cover the gap because we have a huge rape kit backlog of thousands and thousands of untested rape kits,” says State Rep. Victoria Neave (D – Mesquite). She proposes that when you apply for or renew your driver license, you would have the option to donate a dollar or more. “It would be completely voluntary,” State Rep. Neave says. She […]

Experts say we’re seeing a rise in violent crime here in San Antonio. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar says the increase is consistent with an increase in crime on a national level. Dozens of concerned women are taking part in a self-defense seminar hosted by the Rape Crisis Center the techniques they learned that could save their life. “It’s going to look real, it’s going to feel real, and it’s going to be real,” said Pete Hardy, an instructor at STW Krav Maga. Hundreds of women, of all ages and backgrounds, learned from martial arts experts how they can improve their personal safety. “If I’m in a situation where I get attacked I’m not really sure what I would do so I’m just trying to be more prepared,” said Olivia Michael, who was attending the class for the first time. In Bexar County, the Rape Crisis Center says they receive an average of three phone calls to assist with new assaults each day. The center hopes training classes like the one held on Saturday will prevent future violent crimes. “We of course want to emphasize that if you didn’t fight back that is in no way your fault,” said Brittany […]

During November, the 32nd Medical Brigade Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention team coordinated a drive to collect basic care items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, creams, soaps and more for the Rape Crisis Center for Children and Adults in San Antonio. Soldiers and civilians from the 32nd Medical Brigade, U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School, U.S. Army Health Readiness Center of Excellence, presented seven large plastic containers containing 2,200 much-needed items to representatives from the center Dec. 2 at the brigade classroom in building 902 on Fort Sam Houston. “Every quarter, events are held to raise sexual assault awareness and prevention,” said Nykita Riley, 32nd Medical Brigade Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program manager. “To coincide with the month of giving thanks, we decided to give thanks to the local rape crisis center in San Antonio. “Part of the SHARP program is to also liaison and collaborate with our civilian counterparts,” Riley said. “Anytime one of our Soldiers, family members or civilians report to a sexual assault team, the local hospitals are receiving not only military victim advocates but civilian victim advocates. Many times there are individuals seeking these services and they don’t have some of […]