MCASA Newsletter : Frontline

Happy Spring! As we look back at the past several months, MCASA is proud to share the great work we’ve done to support survivors and prevent sexual violence in Maryland. Last month marked the end of the state’s 2026 Legislative session. We are grateful to the General Assembly for their continued support for survivors of sexual violence through approving funding for rape crisis centers and the programs that support victims and survivors. Many other laws that support survivors, improve safety, and promote sexual violence prevention passed. Your calls, emails, texts, and calls to action lead the

2026 is off to a busy start, and we are looking forward to a warmer spring around the corner. MCASA has hit the ground running in Annapolis, supporting legislation that promotes justice for survivors of sexual violence, accountability for offenders, and protection for the general public in the legislative session. MCASA’s full list of legislative priorities is available on our website. We have named just a few of our 2026 Legislative Priorities below: Rape Crisis Center Funding Stop Silencing Survivors – Litigation Abuse – SB295/HB465 Lead Sponsors: Senator Sara Love and Delegate Elizabeth Embry Protection of Identity

As we approach the end of 2025, we are reflecting on this year’s efforts towards ending sexual violence. We want to thank all advocates, organizations and communities who have worked tirelessly to uphold the rights of survivors. We are also witnessing the lasting impact of this fall’s government shutdown and challenges in DC on communities throughout the country and the state, including sexual violence prevention and response work. Throughout it all, MCASA and our member programs continue to support survivors and advocate for the safety and well-being of all Marylanders. This fall, MCASA has held several webinars

I hope you all have had some time for rest and relaxation this summer. With a busy fall around the corner, MCASA remains dedicated to our efforts to protect survivor rights and advocate for resources for survivor services and prevention efforts. As changes are continuing at the federal level and Congress embarks on the federal appropriations process for fiscal year 2026, we are continuing to advocate for funding that is crucial to ending sexual violence in Maryland and beyond this fall.  In September, MCASA will host our semi-annual Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Fundamentals Training Series. This virtual training series

These past few months have been especially busy for MCASA as we’ve done essential advocacy during Maryland’s legislative session. Your support helps ensure that MCASA can bring the voices of survivors and the programs who serve them to our state legislators in Annapolis. We appreciate all those who called, emailed, testified, and reached out to their elected officials. This year’s legislative priorities centered on funding for sexual assault survivor services, access to justice, and prevention. Working together, we stopped proposed cuts to victim services and rape kit testing, shored up efforts to

As we begin the new year, MCASA would like to express gratitude for all those who have been dedicated in their work to end sexual violence. Our vital work to stand behind survivors across the state matters, especially now. The 2025 Maryland Legislative Session began on January 8th and we held our annual Legislative Reception in Annapolis on January 16th to introduce MCASA's 2025 legislative advocacy. We saw another successful and informative legislative reception, all due to those who sponsored, supported, and attended the event. We are looking forward to another busy session, with returning and new initiatives on our priority

Throughout the election year, MCASA has worked hard to preserve and expand rights of survivors. Now that the election is over, we must continue to fight to amplify the voices of survivors. While there is much work to be done, we are also proud to reflect on our accomplishments these past few months. On September 10th, MCASA held our annual Call to Action, which brought together advocates to discuss the importance of survivors' voices in voting as well as celebrating individuals who have gone above and beyond in supporting survivors. MCASA understands that policies and laws not only impact the

Happy Summer Training As we approach the end of the summer, MCASA is proud to highlight a number of our trainings aimed at preventing and responding to sexual violence in Maryland. In June, we completed our latest Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Training (SAVAT) series. We would like to thank all the new and returning advocates and service providers who have participated and engaged in our training sessions and our staff for facilitating another successful training series. We also hosted expert trainings on the needs of LGBTQ+ survivors, exploring the intersections of trafficking and gender-diverse folks and providing gender-affirming FNE care.