Despite seeing recent cuts to its federal funding, the Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico is expanding its services as it acquires Albuquerque SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners). The organizations have collaborated for many years, according to Executive Director Kim Stark, but will now work as a single  unit, serving a collective goal. 

Stark said the Rape Crisis Center has been hit hard by the federal cutbacks because itsservices are free.

“No one should have to pay if they’re a victim,” Stark said. “Nobody asked for that.”

As the weather warms up, Stark said the center’s resources are stressed even further. 

“For example, in the past five days we’ve had fifteen cases. It really ramps up in the summer,” she said. “So, it is really busy with us bringing SANE under our umbrella. But I do think that it’s going to help with wrap-around services.”

The recent acquisition of Albuquerque SANE has enabled the center to offer services it used to have to refer clients out to, like medical examinations and rape kit collection. Stark said this makes everyone’s lives easier, but doesn’t ease the relentless nature of the work or need for consistent funding.

“This is a really, really hard job.” said Stark. “And trying to prevent staff from getting burnt out is really hard.” 

She said learning what the center’s clients have lived through, and supporting them through that trauma,l takes a toll on her staff. 

“Everybody having to see the incarnate evil in the world, which most people don’t have to see  every day,” she said. 

Despite the challenges, Stark said that she and her team are committed to being there when a survivor needs help figuring out what options exist and what their next step should be. “That’s what keeps me here,” she said. “Because I really feel like someone should never have to go through that by themself. As long as we can be there to help them, I think it helps on their path to healing.”

The center will continue to serve the central New Mexico community for the foreseeable future as they weather these changes, recognizing the importance of their services.

To contact the  Rape Crisis Center, call its 24-hour hotline at 505-266-7711.