THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) -- April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark is using the opportunity to call for more resources for sexual assault survivors in the borough’s public hospitals.

Right now, she said, many do not receive the help they need to heal.

“The number of rapes in the Bronx has skyrocketed,” said Clark. “We lead the city. So, therefore, again, how can we be so underresourced?’

According to NYPD crime statistics, the Bronx accounts for roughly 25% of all reported rape cases so far in 2024. But, the borough has no hospital-based, state-accredited crisis centers.

“Manhattan has six of them,” said Clark. “All right now we have is one that’s community-based in Kingsbridge Heights, and not everyone can get there.”

Rape crisis centers provide access to advocates, trained, safe examiners, and long-term trauma support. Standard hospital care generally attends to physical needs and offers referrals for counseling. Clark is calling on NYC Health + Hospitals to establish rape crisis centers in the borough’s public hospitals: Jacobi, Lincoln, and North Central Bronx.

“So having it in at least three hospitals would at least provide the opportunity for victims to be able to get the services they need,” said Clark.

In a statement to PIX11 News, NYC Health + Hospitals said:

“We appreciate DA Clark’s partnership and advocacy. We are reviewing her request and look forward to working together on this important issue.”

“The further you get out from Manhattan, the less likely you are as a survivor to receive an advocate when you go to a hospital and a trained safe examiner,” said Emily Miles, executive director of the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault.

Miles said that even the rape crisis centers that do exist have waitlists as long as six months to a year for counseling and are underfunded.

“Your access to rape crisis services should not be determined by your income, by the color of your skin, or the neighborhood that you live in,” said Miles.

According to Miles, most rape crisis centers are only receiving pass-through federal funds.

“The state is providing very, very little funding, only $6.4 million for rape crisis programs. And the city is providing no funding for rape crisis programs. In fact, the only support really comes from the city council,” Miles said.

If you are a survivor of sexual violence and need immediate assistance, please call Safe Horizon’s 24-hour helpline at (212) 227-3000.

To access the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault Survivor Resource Guide, visit svfreenyc.org/resource-guide.