A Brief History of the Piedmont Rape Crisis Center
The Sexual Assault Task Force was formed in 2001 in response to a serial rapist, Leon Thrasher, who preyed on women in the city of Winder during the summer months. Though the perpetrator was apprehended fairly quickly, he left in his wake five reported survivors and, doubtless, many more who chose not to disclose their experience.
In 2002, various community members and agencies joined together as the Sexual Assault/Abuse Task Force, Victims into Survivors (VISTA), to address the complete lack of services for adult sexual assault victims. The Task Force created a system to respond to sexual assault victims and assure forensic exams were completed and immediate safety was achieved. The initiatives of the Task Force included:
1. Begin the Piedmont Rape Crisis Center (PRCC)
2. Secure initial funding for PRCC
3. Educate the community on issues regarding sexual assault
4. Promote a coordinated community response to combating violence against women
Immediate action included the creation of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program (SANE), collaborating with law enforcement and prosecution, as well as referrals for other services and follow-up advocacy. Direct services to victims began in 2004.
Initially, the PRCC provided services out of an office space provided by Barrow County Family Connection/Communities in Schools, Inc. with the assistance of a part-time Program Coordinator. Early 2008, PRCC acquired a fully furnished freestanding facility and hired two full-time staff, a Program Coordinator and Director, with funding secured from the Department of Human Resources, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, the Violence Against Women Act, and community members like you through individual donations and our signature annual fundraiser, Ride to Survive. Presently, PRCC is an incubation program of Community Connections 211.
Early 2009, PRCC implemented the 24-hour Crisis Hotline: 770-586-5423.
