As we welcome a new fiscal year, we want to take a moment to express our deep gratitude to all of you who make our work possible.
In a time when nonprofits across the country are facing financial uncertainty, we are especially thankful for our partners—individual donors, grantors, funders, and local and state leaders—who have stood by us and fought for our mission. Your support helps ensure that victims and survivors of sexual violence and trauma have access to the care and advocacy they need.
For example, in June, CT lawmakers pass three critical pieces of legislation: PA 25-139 An Act Concerning Human Trafficking and Sexual Assault Victims, which extends protections in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit transactions to victims of sexual assault and trafficking; PA 25-77 An Act Concerning Enhanced Protections Available under the State’s Anti-SLAPP Statute, which strengthens protections for survivors by shielding them from retaliation for reporting through defamation lawsuits; and PA 25-29 An Act Concerning Revisions to Various Statutes Concerning Criminal Justice, which establishes a third pathway for survivors to choose to have evidence tested in their sexual assault evidence collection kit without requiring a police report.
Thank you to all of the advocates who championed these important acts—and thank you to our lawmakers for adding additional protections for victims and survivors!
In addition, we received an incredible grant from Impact Fairfield County. Thanks to their generosity and their passion for innovation and mission-driven work, we are building a new online platform: KidSafeHQ. Launching in Fall 2025, this website will serve as a practical and timely resource for parents, offering guidance on:
- Digital safety and online exploitation
- How and when to talk with children about difficult topics
- Local trends and national trends that every parent/caregiver needs to know
Meanwhile, demand for our core services continues to rise, from more hotline calls to increased crisis counseling and long-term therapy requests. We are meeting that need, thanks to you.
Thank you for standing with us and believing in this work. Together, we are building safer, more resilient communities every single day.
Mark Your Calendar for December 4!
Save the date for our beloved event, Gingerbread Houses and Cocktails for a Cause, on Thursday, December 4, at The Country Club of Darien!
Gather with friends and neighbors to support prevention education, advocate for victims and survivors, and ensure that everyone impacted by sexual violence can access the counseling and resources they need to heal and move forward.
Tickets go on sale September 1. We can’t wait to see you there!
What is Sextortion?
KidSafeHQ, our new online platform made possible by Impact Fairfield County, will equip parents/caregivers with clear, up-to-date information on important topics so they can protect their children in an increasingly complex digital world. For example, right now, every caregiver needs to understand sextortion, a form of digital blackmail that’s become alarmingly common in our communities.
Sextortion is a form of sexual exploitation where a child is coerced or tricked into sending explicit images or performing sexual acts. The perpetrators, who can be from anywhere in the world, often pose as peers or potential romantic interests in order to receive an explicit photo or video. The perpetrator then threatens to send the photo/video to the child’s contact list, including family, friends, and teachers, unless they receive a financial payment.
Alternatively, they may ask for more explicit material, which can turn into a serious grooming or trafficking situation. These perpetrators access our children through gaming platforms, social media, and chat apps. Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that perpetrators can access children’s iPhones and send a text message that looks like it is coming from a friend.
Please know that if this happens to your child, you are not alone. There are resources available. For more information, call our office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., or our hotline 24/7 at (203) 329-2929.
Join the Student Advisory Board
Calling all high school students—applications for The Rowan Center’s Student Advisory Board (SAB) are now open! As a member of the SAB, you will work to eliminate sexual violence in schools and our communities. Share your perspective and insight and help make a difference. You will be a valued ambassador for The Rowan Center!
SAB membership is open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending school in one of the eight towns we serve (Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport, Wilton).
Apply today at therowancenter.org/get-involved/join-the-student-advisory-board
September Certified Advocate Training
Certified Advocates provide essential support to survivors of sexual violence on the hotline, in hospitals, at police stations, and in courtrooms.
Our next Certified Advocate Training begins in September, and we’d love for you to be part of it. The training costs $80 (to cover the cost of materials and a background check) and includes weekly classes, mock calls, assignments, and an exam. By the end of the course, you’ll be a Certified Advocate ready to assist victims and survivors in our community.
Learn more and register at therowancenter.org/get-involved/volunteer
Thank You, Impact Fairfield County!
We are so honored to be the recipient of Impact Fairfield County’s incredible $100,000 grant! This gift will help The Rowan Center launch KidSafeHQ, a digital platform designed to address the increasing threats facing children, including extortion, grooming, and online exploitation, by bringing together expert-vetted, locally relevant safety resources in one centralized hub.
We loved getting to celebrate this grant with the Impact FFC team, and we are so grateful for their investment in The Rowan Center’s mission!