Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Teams Up With Congresswoman Pressley for Walk for Change

U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley will once again attend the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center’s (BARCC) annual Walk for Change scheduled for Sunday, April 24 at Constitution Beach.

BARCC’s Ellie Olson said The Walk for Change is the largest event in New England raising awareness of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse and offering visible community support for survivors.

“It is an inspiring day of community, healing, and hope with 1,500 participants,” said Olson. “We are excited for Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley to return as our keynote speaker for Walk. Beyond the walk, there are a variety of activities during the event such as sign making, photo booth, yoga, food trucks, vendors, and childrens’ activities.”

Pressley, who has been vocal about being a surivior of child sexual abuse as well as a victim of sexual assault while a student at Boston University, has said. “As hard as it is for us to grapple with the idea that we could be vulnerable to such a violation, it is even harder for us to accept that someone we love could violate someone in such an egregious way. That is why this is such a challenging issue for us to take on as a society.”

BARCC is the only comprehensive rape crisis center in the Greater Boston area with a catchment area of 29 cities and town, an estimated 4.6 million people.

“We serve over 15,000 survivors of sexual violence, their loved ones, and community members each year for our free and confidential services for ages 12 and up,” Olson.

The 13th Annual Walk for Change will be the largest event in the region that brings together a community of survivors, their loved ones, and others to further the path towards healing and ending sexual violence.

Registration for the Walk is free and registration can be completed at barccwalk.org.

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