BARCC is a non-profit, volunteer organization that advocates for and supports survivors of sexual assault. More than 135 volunteers provide hotline crisis counseling, adolescent and family services, support groups, medical support, legal advocacy and education to businesses, community groups, teen centers and schools.

2. How many people has BARCC helped? Does BARCC help only women?

In its current capacity, BARCC provides services to 8,500 women and men including adolescent boys and girls, financially disadvantaged women, linguistic minorities, women of color, the elderly, the homeless and disabled women.

3. Can men be raped also?

Yes, rape can happen to anyone. Reports of male rape are on the rise as awareness increases and survivors (or the survivor's family in the case of a male child) feel that they can take the step of reporting this crime. The current statistics from the FBI state that 1 in 7 males will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

4. What types of counseling services does BARCC provide to rape victims?

BARCC provides 24-hour crisis counseling. BARCC's hotline counselors speak to an average of 2,000 clients each year. In addition, more than 369 clients come to BARCC annually for individual, short-term counseling. Approximately 380 survivors also come to BARCC's ongoing support and discussion groups annually.

5. How many rape victims report the crime to the local police force?

Only 16 out of 100 victims report the crime to police, and only 1 in 100 convicted rapists serve a prison term of more than one year. Shockingly, the figures grow worse instead of better. According to the most recent findings of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, rape-reporting rates are on the decline.



For Survivors:

1. Are calls to BARCC confidential?

BARCC believes in protecting the integrity of the counseling relationship between the sexual assault counselor/advocate and the survivor. All BARCC's clients have a right to confidentiality. Read the confidentiality section for more information about this.

2. What types of services do BARCC volunteers provide at local hospitals?

BARCC's medical advocacy program is a crisis intervention service. Rape crisis advocates provide compassionate, knowledgeable support, information and referral services to survivors and their families in hospital emergency departments. In the immediate aftermath of rape, survivors face a host of emotional, medical, and legal decisions. An advocate can provide information to assist the survivor (and her/his family) in making the best possible choices. Advocates accompany the survivor and provide support throughout the entire forensic exam if the survivor wishes. They can also be helpful with safety planning, arranging transportation, and with follow-up plans.