About BARCC
Founded in 1973, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) is the oldest and largest rape crisis center in New England, serving as the only comprehensive center in the Greater Boston area. Our mission is to end sexual violence through healing, empowerment, and social change.
Our Services
BARCC provides free, confidential support and services to survivors of sexual violence aged 12 and up, and their family and friends. We serve survivors of all genders, empowering them to heal and seek justice in ways that are meaningful to them. Our support extends from immediate crisis intervention to long-term assistance, helping survivors navigate health care, legal, social service and educational systems.
Our services are available in English and Spanish, with additional languages provided upon request.
Community Engagement
Leveraging over 50 years of experience and research, we educate and collaborate with a wide range of community partners. These include schools, colleges, police departments, health-care providers, and businesses. We advocate for policy changes and offer training on responding to disclosures of sexual violence, creating safer environments, and preventing sexual violence. Our expertise is often sought for legislative testimony and media commentary.
Our Team
BARCC is powered by approximately 35 staff members and over 150 dedicated volunteers. Together, we assist thousands of survivors each year, regardless of their sex, gender identity, race, immigration status, physical or developmental abilities, income, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or engagement with sex work.
We Serve Greater Boston
We serve a diverse population across 29 cities and towns in the Greater Boston area, reaching approximately 1.3 million people. The communities we serve include:
- Arlington
- Bedford
- Belmont
- Boston
- Brookline
- Burlington
- Cambridge
- Chelsea
- Concord
- Everett
- Lexington
- Lincoln
- Malden
- Medford
- Melrose
- Needham
- Newton
- Reading
- Revere
- Somerville
- Stoneham
- Wakefield
- Waltham
- Watertown
- Wellesley
- Weston
- Winchester
- Winthrop
- Woburn
“I went to therapy and an amazing teen group at BARCC. Those experiences taught me that I can be a survivor instead of a victim.”
— Shaira, 2016 Gala speaker
Join Us
Your support matters! Here are the best ways to make a difference for survivors of sexual violence in our community.