The Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center furloughed all staff earlier this month because it didn’t have funds to pay everyone, Executive Director Sarah Bariya said Friday.
Bariya said that as of Monday this week, employees in four “key positions” had resumed work to ensure the organization remains open and can address immediate client needs.
Christina Holt is assistant director of the Center for Community Health and Development at the KU Life Span Institute, which partners with the Care Center on prevention efforts.
Holt said she had learned about the furloughs from a staff member. She also learned that Care Center employees were instructed not to be in discussion with community partners and that they have signed nondisclosure agreements, so “things have been pretty quiet,” Holt said.
“Staff have had very little communication other than that they have been told that their positions may no longer exist, may have reduced pay, and/or may have different responsibilities when they come back,” Holt said via email Friday.
She also said only one person was answering the incoming calls to the center’s 24/7 hotline.
Bariya had not responded by the time of publication Friday to additional questions to confirm further details.
The Care Center announced on Feb. 6 that it “has paused some services briefly for restructuring,” but the exact reasons were unclear.
Care Center board President Aletra Johnson, reached via email Monday, said Bariya would provide an update Tuesday. After we followed up, Bariya responded Friday; in response to follow-up questions, she said she was waiting for responses from the board.
Bariya said the board decided to begin the pause on Feb. 4 because of “the recent transition in CARE Center leadership and the current funding climate that many nonprofits are facing” and “to allow the agency to reassess funding streams to ensure future sustainability.”
Nonprofit organizations all over the country have been experiencing damaging impacts of the Trump administration’s federal grant funding freeze. Several area organizations were thrown into chaos in recent weeks, though most funds have since been unfrozen.
Bariya said one more employee will be recalled from furlough effective Monday, and services will open up as funding becomes available.
The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence has volunteered time at the center, Bariya said, which will allow operations to be at “near capacity” next week.
“The CARE Center provides not only critical services for our community – serving people in some of their deepest times of need – but they also provide invaluable primary prevention support and programming,” Holt said via email. “From bystander intervention training to supporting housing security, they are a critical community asset.”
The center last week announced Bariya as the new executive director. Bariya fills the position following the August departure of Jennifer Ananda. Ananda had been announced as the executive director in January 2023 following the September 2022 resignation of Chrissy Heikkila, who had served at the Care Center for 13 years.
“We would like to thank everyone in the community who has reached out with encouragement or offered to help support the agency with donations,” Bariya said via email Friday. “We also appreciate your understanding during this transition.”
The center’s 24-hour hotline is 785-843-8985. Find more information on its website, stacarecenter.org.
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Resources for survivors
If you have experienced sexual violence or trauma, please seek the help that’s right for you. There are many options available, and you don’t have to file a police report if you don’t want to.
Get 24/7 help in Lawrence: The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center
- Call 785-843-8985 to reach an advocate, 24/7. (Consider saving that number in your phone in case you or someone you know ever needs it.)
- After an assault: What are my options? Check this page for detailed information about
- talking to an advocate,
- going to the hospital,
- making a police report,
- and/or talking to a counselor or therapist.
- On campus? Check this page for specific resources for the University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, Baker University, Ottawa University and more.
Resources on KU’s campus:
- Contact CARE (Campus Assistance, Resource, and Education) Services: KU students can make an appointment online at careservices.ku.edu, by email, care@ku.edu, or by calling 785-864-9255. It’s free, confidential and voluntary to talk with the CARE Coordinator. All genders welcome. Read more here.
- Find more KU campus resources at this link. Specific information about sexual assault exams can be found under the “Medical Care” tab.
Domestic violence situations: The Willow Domestic Violence Center
- Reach the Willow for help 24/7 at 785-843-3333.
- Find more resources on the Willow’s website at this link.
More resources
- The Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County offers support and resources for children and families affected by child abuse. See their website at cacdouglas.org, call them at 785-592-3160 or stop by their office at 1009 New Hampshire St. in Lawrence.
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: Call 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) for 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence support for Native Americans and Alaska Natives that is culturally appropriate.
- National hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text “START” to 88788, and/or visit thehotline.org to chat and learn more, 24/7.
Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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