Be a light in someone’s darkest time
You can help put assault or abuse survivors on a path to healing
For nearly 1,000 children and adults every year, the Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse is a light in a dark time. Now, this critical resource needs your help.
The Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse (PICAA) is equipped with a team of professionals dedicated to supporting those affected by sexual or physical violence. This team includes forensic nurses, advocates, nurse practitioners and therapists who work together to conduct medical exams, collect crucial evidence and provide advocacy services
PICAA services delivered in 2024
• 121 Child sexual assault exams
• 214 Adult sexual assault exams
• 1,115 Sexual assault clients supported with advocacy
• 79 Clients received therapy
• 437 Physically abused people supported
• 68 Domestic violence clients served
• 0 Clients charged for any services
for those impacted by violence. PICAA ensures that individuals receive the compassionate care they need during such difficult times.
These services are accessible 24/7 across four hospitals, including Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. Additionally, PICAA has a dedicated clinic located within Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center in downtown Everett, ensuring that both immediate and long-term assistance is available. PICAA is committed to providing medical care, advocacy and emotional support to children and adults, so no one navigates these traumatic situations alone.
Deep experience and expertise
PICAA opened in 1997 with the launch of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program, offering timely and professional care in the Providence Everett emergency department to adults and children who were sexually abused. In 2006, PICAA expanded services to include care for patients experiencing physical assault, child abuse and domestic violence.
In 2011, PICAA established a permanent home clinic at Dawson Place, creating a centralized haven for assault and abuse victims and families seeking healing. Over the years, the need for PICAA’s services has grown exponentially.
Because of PICAA’s extensive experience and expertise providing this specialized care, it was recently named a Forensic Nursing Center of Excellence — one of only four sites in the nation
and the only not-for-profit, hospital-based location selected. Not only does this recognize PICAA’s ongoing reputation for supporting abuse survivors with care, dignity and forensic expertise, it allows PICAA to serve as a training center for forensic nurses.
A critical component of collaborative, wrap-around care
PICAA is one of the five partner organizations at Dawson Place, each collaborating to ensure safety, justice and healing for children and families who’ve experienced physical and/or sexual abuse.
Streamlining services and fostering a coordinated response minimizes the number of times a child has to recount their story.
Despite its pivotal role in Dawson Place, PICAA operates independently and does not receive financial support from Dawson. Instead, it invests its own resources to maintain its presence within this collaborative environment to provide critical services to vulnerable children and their families. This unique arrangement emphasizes PICAA’s dedication to child advocacy and the collective effort to address and prevent child abuse within our community.
After nearly three decades of delivering compassionate care to tens of thousands of children, youth and adults at their most vulnerable time — while earning top national recognition for excellence — PICAA is now facing its biggest challenge to date.
Funding cuts are already greatly impacting PICAA’s ability to fully serve our patients. With even more cuts on the horizon, we need your help. PICAA operates with a blend of Providence’s investment, government funding and philanthropic support. Each funding pillar is necessary for PICAA to meet the needs of local children, women and men who
seek help after being assaulted or abused. Philanthropy must bear a bigger portion of PICAA’s expenses for this crucial care to continue in our community.
These funding cuts come at a time when health care is already facing severe financial headwinds. A combination of inadequate or delayed commercial insurance reimbursements, increased supply and labor costs, and federal and state cuts to critical safety net programs that PICAA’s patients rely upon make it difficult to carry out Providence’s Mission to serve all, especially those who are most vulnerable. That’s why we’re asking for your help keeping PICAA’s services available to those who need them most.
Children know they aren’t alone
PICAA has a special exam room for children. When a child is finished with their medical or forensic exam, they can choose a “sticky hand” to toss onto the ceiling to show themselves, and others, that they’re not alone.
The display creates a colorful, yet tragic testament to the ongoing need for PICAA’s services.
You can sustain and advance the Providence Mission
This opportunity to give is distinctly aligned with Providence’s Mission. PICAA’s work is deeply rooted in compassion, addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of these fragile patients through trauma-informed, confidential care. Every service is offered free of charge to prioritize accessibility and healing.
By investing in this vital program, you will empower people of all ages and ensure they can continue to receive the services they need to survive – and thrive.
Help write the next chapter in PICAA’s story — a story of hope, healing and resilience for those in our community who are navigating their most difficult times. Thank you for being a pivotal part of this Mission-driven legacy.
You can ease the way of those facing their most difficult time. Will you help put assault and abuse survivors on a path to healing? We welcome your support.
OUR MISSION
As expressions of God’s healing love, witnessed through the ministry of Jesus, we are steadfast in serving all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable.
OUR VALUES
Compassion, Dignity, Justice, Excellence, Integrity
OUR PROMISE
“Know me, care for me, ease my way.”