Pittsburgh City Council
Council calls on state to increase its funding for Pittsburgh Action Against Rape.
Written by Amy Whipple
City Council has called for the Pennsylvania legislature to increase funding for Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) and rape crisis centers across the state in future budget cycles.
“It’s important that we all speak out for each other all the time,” said Council Member Deb Gross of Highland Park at the general council meeting.
Rape crisis centers across Pennsylvania have not received an increase in state funding in six years despite rising costs and increasing service demands. According to the Tribune Review, 20% of PAAR’s funding comes from the state.
Founded in 1972, PAAR was Pennsylvania’s first rape crisis center and one of the earliest in the country. It is the only agency in Allegheny County solely dedicated to addressing sexual violence.
According to the request by council to the legislature, PAAR served nearly 2,500 people in the past year, approximately 15% of whom were children.
One of PAAR’s services is providing support during hospital forensic exams. Last April, council authorized $36,000 in detective overtime to investigate an undisclosed number of attacks assaults including processing untested sexual assault kits.
Connections to this story
- Topics:
- Public Health
- Governments:
- Pittsburgh City Council
- Public meetings:
- City Council · January 21, 2026
More surveys
Have your say on more of the stories we’re covering.
Pittsburgh City Council
The North Shore may have a lot of new signs.
If you’re looking for a sign for what to do on the North Shore, you may soon see a plethora of them.
Pittsburgh City Council
Pittsburgh ponders plans to spend $20 million every year on new vehicles.
The continuing problems of broken down trucks and emergency vehicles may come to a slow roll in 2027.
City of PittsburghPittsburgh City Council
Pittsburgh City Council
City may institute a dashboard to keep track of the housing stock.
For all the talk about housing development, no one knows exactly how many units exist or are available in the city.
City of PittsburghPittsburgh City Council
Pittsburgh City Council
Voters may decide on budget process and public notice requirements.
Council President R. Daniel Lavelle of the Upper Hill District introduced two possible referendums to be placed on the May primary election ballot during council’s first meeting of 2026.
Pittsburgh City Council
Some of O’Connor’s appointees need council’s OK.
For the sixth time in 10 years, council will vote on a new chief of police.
County Council & School Board.
In the coming weeks, we plan to expand our coverage to the Pittsburgh Public School Board and the Allegheny County Council. These meetings will be in their own newsletters to help keep things…
Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of DirectorsCity of Pittsburgh
Tax rates increased and a ban on phones, taking photos & videos.
Mayor Corey O'Connor was sworn in this past Monday which took the place of the City Council's regularly scheduled meetings. We wanted to take this time to update you on our plans for the new year and…
Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors
Cell phones, taking photos banned during school day at all Pittsburgh Public Schools starting this fall.
There will be no selfies in science class, no Instagram in algebra, and no SnapChat in social studies in the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) in the next school year.
Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors
Pittsburgh Public Schools approves 2% property tax hike, adding ~$13/ year for the average homeowner.
The Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) board approved its 2026 budget, including a 2% property tax increase, with a 6 to 3 vote during a legislative meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Allegheny County Council
County Council weighs whether to jump into jail fight.
Allegheny County Council is weighing whether to step into a fight over whether disciplinary actions at the Allegheny County Jail can be determined by a referendum.
Allegheny County Council
Pittsburgh City Council
Pittsburgh inks $100,000 contract to teach residents to recycle.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) wants residents to stop trashing recyclable packaging.
Pittsburgh City Council
The city looks at taking over a blighted apartment building.
The city may condemn a 100-unit apartment building in Homewood in order to save the homes of the people who live there.
Pittsburgh City Council
Land bank looks to spend millions to return properties to the tax rolls.
The Pittsburgh Land Bank (PLB) has estimated it could cost $168.5 million to put 11,311 abandoned parcels back on the city’s tax rolls.
City of PittsburghPittsburgh City Council
Pittsburgh City Council
City property taxes slated to go up 20%.
Pittsburgh homeowners may soon see a 20% increase on their property tax bill.
City of PittsburghPittsburgh City Council
Pittsburgh City Council
City council passes a budget that is $15 million more than the mayor’s.
After over 40 hours of public meetings, hearings, discussions, and seemingly endless votes, council passed the 2026 budget.