07/30/2026
Today, BARCC had the pleasure of welcoming Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley to our office for a roundtable discussion focused on her ongoing legislative advocacy for survivors. Congresswoman Pressley has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the community, and during her visit, she took a special interest in understanding the real-world challenges that BARCC and partner survivor service organizations face amidst ongoing financial and legislative challenges.
We discussed her proposed legislation, the Violation of Survivors’ Rights Compensation Program Act of 2026, as well as the immediate and evolving needs of the survivors we serve.
This bill aims to bring transformative structural change by:
1. Centering trauma-informed care across legal proceedings.
2. Holding institutional systems accountable when victim rights are violated.
3. Delivering fast, direct financial relief to survivors.
Research shows that the lifetime economic burden of r**e stands at an estimated $165,428 per survivor, in addition to the profound emotional and psychological toll of trauma. Under Congresswoman Pressley’s legislation, survivors could petition for compensation covering direct harm and loss resulting from sexual assault, abuse, trafficking, or exploitation; as well as harm suffered specifically due to government failures to uphold victim rights.
To ensure the process is accessible and supportive rather than re-traumatizing, the bill establishes a dedicated Office of Special Adjudicators for Survivors of Sexual Violence. The legislation mandates that at least four appointed adjudicators be licensed mental health professionals with clinical experience in trauma-informed care.
Key procedural protections and provisions of the bill include:
-Rules are specifically structured to avoid traditional, re-traumatizing court battles by limiting routine oral presentations, cross-examinations, and heavy discovery burdens.
-Requirements to issue a ruling on compensation petitions within 120 days of filing.
-Compensation that covers both economic and non-economic harm, taking into account direct loss, government accountability failures, and adjustments for collateral sources of compensation previously received.
BARCC remains deeply grateful for Congresswoman Pressley’s continued leadership and partnership in advancing justice and holistic healing for all survivors.
We also want to extend our appreciation to the many partners who joined us for the robust roundtable today. Representative Marjorie Decker, Mayor of Cambridge, Sumbul Siddiqui, Executive Director of the DGBVPI at the City of Cambridge, Shameka Gregory, Cambridge School Committee Member and Consent Education Teacher, Caitlin Dube, and our BARCC Team, including Executive Director Liz Speakman, Senior Director of the Case Management program, Clare Namugga, Senior Director of External Relations, Kara Blue, longtime Clinician, Roberta Green, longtime BARCC Board Member, Cliff Pollan, and our incredible BARCC volunteers.
