By Candice Christiansen, M.Ed., LCMHC, CSAT-S, EMDR Certified,
Forensic Evaluator.
Historically, there has
been a significant divide in the therapeutic community between professionals
working those harmed by sexual violence and those who have caused the harm.
However, for one professional, Alison C. Hall, the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh
Action Against Rape (PAAR), the importance of understanding the treatment needs
of both victims and offenders including the benefits of collaborating between
both types of treatment providers has been her lifelong mission and vision.
I recently had the
privilege of interviewing Alison about her unique perspective and work with
both victims of sexual violence, sex offenders, and bystanders. I was impressed
by her dedication to the field of prevention.
Alison spoke passionately
about how the movement towards primary prevention is one that revolves around
social change. While Alison is a firm believer that rape crisis centers across
the United States have indeed reduced sexual violence, she stressed the
importance of collaborating with sex offender treatment providers. As she
explained, “We can’t do this work alone. It is essential that we partner with
others who want to end sexual violence.”
In 2006, Alison’s passion
and determination to bridge the gap between treatment providers of sexual assault
and sex offenders led to her efforts to establish the first sex offender court
in the state of Pennsylvania. She convened a meeting with victim services,
prosecutors, police investigators, public defenders, judges and treatment
providers to discuss issues pertinent to sexual abuse and to understand each
other’s work. She shared, “This was the first time these professionals were in
the same room together discussing sexual abuse in Allegheny County.” As a
result of that meeting, strong relationships developed and the first Sex
Offender Management & Containment (SOMAC) Task Force was formed and
continues to meet regularly.
In recognition of her
leadership in convening the first sex offender court in Pennsylvania she was
awarded the Gail Burns-Smith Award in 2011. As she humbly stated, “It was the
strength of the relationships of this task force that led to the creation of
the first sex offender court in the state of Pennsylvania.”
Alison has worked at PAAR
for 14 years in various capacities; she has been the Executive Director for
almost 9 years. PAAR is dedicated to assisting victims of sexual abuse and
ending sexual violence in the community. PAAR has served victims in Allegheny County
for over 45 years, and is one of the first agencies in the US to serve victims
of sexual assault. She shared, “It is the most motivating place I have ever
worked.”
Alison was especially proud
to share that through PAAR’s on-going outreach, each college in Pittsburgh
currently recognizes PAAR as an important partner in the prevention and
treatment of sexual abuse, and seeks PAAR’s direction to help develop
appropriate responses to victims of sexual violence on their campuses.
As a member of the ATSA
Prevention Committee, Alison has decided to run as the prevention
representative to the ATSA board. When asked what her vision for ATSA’s future
is, should she be accepted, Alison shared, “I believe that when those who
specifically treat individuals who have sexually offended collaborate with
professionals working with victims, we make greater strides in bringing about
the social change required to end sexual violence.”
To learn more about PAAR,
visit www.paar.net
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