Often, victims of sexual violence need services that, because of funding constraints, cannot be provided by rape care centers. These services include: emergency shelter; emergency transportation; inpatient/outpatient specialized treatment; assistance with rent; medical services; utility/phone/other household expenses; emergency food/clothing; emergency childcare; and other crisis repsponses. If these emergency needs are not met, healing from the trauma of sexual assault is made even more difficult.

This is where Teresa's Truth & Courage Fund comes in.

In November of 2003, Ralph Carbone contacted NJCASA to explore a fitting memorial to his wife, Teresa, who died in 2002. Teresa, a childhood victim of sexual violence, worked to overcome the effects of her attacks and became an advocate for all victims, especially childhood victims. With a generous donation from Ralph, Teresa's Truth & Courage Fund was born:

"My wife Teresa was the most courageous person I have ever known. She stared down her demons, confronted her perpetrator, and became a survivor. She was honest about her recovery, knowing it would take a great commitment to see it through and she did it!"

"Teresa went further. She became a passionate advocate for victims' rights, especially the rights of children. By having the courage to go public with her abuse, the children of our extended family were protected. Until she died of cancer, her fierce advocacy for victims' rights remained unabated. This fund is intended to continue what Teresa started and is available to those victims who have the courage to become survivors - just like Teresa was."

We know that with truth, courage and some help
from you, victims CAN become survivors.

Please make a tax deductible contribution to Teresa's Truth & Courage Fund today. All contributions support emergency victim services and educational programs to prevent abuse.

Teresa's Truth & Courage Fund aids victims of sexual violence by providing emergency services and supports educational programs that focus on the prevention of childhood sexual abuse.

The New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, is the collective voice for victims of sexual violence, their loved ones and rape crisis centers across the Garden State. Its member centers represent each of New Jersey's 21 counties and Rutgers University, and provide the following free, confidential services: