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a3 <br />Sexual Assault <br />Over the last 7 years NC Rape Crisis Centers have seen a 28% increase in victims seeking services. Since then, <br />Rape Crisis Centers have received only one increase in funding from the General Fund and one non-recurring <br />appropriation. In 1999, the North Carolina General Assembly increased funding from $838,500 to its current <br />level of $1,117,500. When this increase was allocated only 65 programs shared the money. In 2006, there are <br />73 Rape Crisis Centers; all sharing the same $1,117,500. These funds are critical for supporting sexual assault <br />programs' 24-hour hotlines, crisis counseling, support groups, community education and prevention efforts, as <br />well as victim accompaniment during medical treatment and throughout the legal process. The average salary of <br />NC rape crisis first responder/victim advocates, who are on ca1124 hours a day, seven days a week, is only <br />$21,033 6 The cost of preventing sexual violence is FAR LESS than treating its effects-medical treatment, <br />counseling, work absenteeism, law enforcement time, prosecution and court costs. <br />Since the inception of Permanent Civil No-Contact Orders (SOCs) in December of 2004, there have been <br />approximately 10,000 such orders filed. However, there have been less than fifty reports of violations of these <br />orders'. However, in 2004 and 2005 over 3700 people were convicted on violation of the SOB order against <br />them8. The difference is that the onus for reporting violations of SOCs is on the victim, who must file a <br />contempt of court order and attend a hearing. Conversely, violations of SOBs are reported to the police for <br />criminal action. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION... <br />Provide stable and adequate funding for new and existing sexual assault programs. <br />Criminalize SOC violations. <br />6 Salary Survey Results for Local Rape Crisis Centers. NCCASA. (2000) <br />~ NC AOC. Raleigh, NC. July 2006. <br />s "Tally of Offense Codes Used in the Crimina]/Infraction Index in 2005". NC AOC, Raleigh, NC. February 2006 <br />2006-2007 Women's Draft Agenda 19 <br />