Bright colors and a quiet hum of tattoo machines filled a repurposed warehouse Saturday night as more than two dozen local artists inked small designs for donations at "Ink for Impact," a flash-tattoo fundraiser that benefited Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR). Organizers said the event drew roughly 300 people and raised an estimated $12,000 to support PAAR’s crisis hotline, counseling, and accompaniment services for survivors of sexual violence.

"People showed up not just for the art, but to show survivors they are not alone," said Mariela Santos, the event’s lead organizer and a Pittsburgh tattoo artist. "We wanted something accessible, where donations of any size translate into concrete help — transportation to a forensic exam, a week of counseling, or emergency rent assistance."

PAAR, a nonprofit that provides 24/7 crisis intervention, medical and legal advocacy, and community education, has relied for years on a precarious mix of state grants, federal Victims of Crime Act funds, and private donations. Executive Director Karen Gray said that while community fundraisers are vital, they highlight an uncomfortable reality: volunteer energy and grassroots generosity do not replace stable, adequate public funding.

"Every dollar we raise goes directly to supporting survivors," Gray said. "But events like this are a bandage, not a systemic fix. We still see survivors who cannot access long-term counseling because of limited capacity or who delay seeking care because they lack paid leave or transportation."

Public health experts note that sexual violence is widespread and its consequences are long-lasting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly one in five women and about one in 38 men in the United States experience completed or attempted rape in their lifetimes. Survivors are at increased risk for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use, and chronic physical conditions, making timely, trauma-informed services a public health priority.

Community events can play a significant role in outreach and stigma reduction, particularly among marginalized populations who face additional barriers to care. At Ink for Impact, several artists offered flash designs with symbols of resilience and mutual aid, and volunteers from PAAR staffed a table to share information about free services, multilingual support, and how to access forensic examinations without cost to victims.

"For many survivors, the hardest step is reaching out," said Dr. Priya Menon, a public-health physician at the University of Pittsburgh who studies violence prevention. "When communities create low-pressure entry points, it reduces isolation and can connect people to services early, which improves outcomes. But we need policy changes — from Medicaid coverage of long-term mental-health care to consistent state funding for crisis centers — to ensure equity across neighborhoods."

Advocates also pointed to federal funding fluctuations and administrative backlogs that can leave local programs strapped. The Victims of Crime Act has seen allocation challenges in recent years, and some states have reduced budgets for gender-based violence prevention, forcing centers to triage services.

For organizers and attendees, the night was a mix of celebration and sober resolve. Tattoo recipient and survivor Avery Williams described their small crescent-moon design as a reminder of "finding light in the dark."

"I wanted something that felt like marking a new chapter," Williams said. "Knowing the money goes to people who helped me — that matters."

As Ink for Impact closed, volunteers packed up chairs and leftover ink, while organizers and PAAR leaders reiterated a familiar plea: community solidarity matters, and so does sustained policy attention to fund and expand services for survivors across the region.