Our Mission
The STARS Fund is a philanthropic donor fund established in 2006 by Liz Seccuro, a rape survivor. Our mission, like a star itself, has five points:
- To provide funding to qualified 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations that help survivors and secondary victims (friends and family) of rape and sexual assault.
- To provide web-based information and resources to victims of sexual assault who need guidance, whether or not they choose to pursue criminal or civil action against their attackers.
- To educate the general public about the devastating after-effects of rape for both victims and secondary survivors. This will also involve advocacy in local, state and federal legislative efforts to further help survivors navigate a complex system.
- To advocate for victims and their families as they navigate the criminal and civil justice systems.
- To assist colleges and Universities in particular in revamping their responses to rape and sexual assault on campuses everywhere and to help Administrators more effectively work with local law enforcement to help victims with appropriate adjudication.
STAY TUNED! We're going to add a blog, an update about the programs YOU helped fund and a site for survivors to submit their stories! Come visit often and spread the word.
Some statistics:
- 1 out of every 7 women currently attending college has been raped. [Koss, Woodruff, and Koss, 1990. Statistics on Sexual violence Against Women: A Criminological Study].
- 683,00 forcible rapes occur every year, which equals 56,916 per month; 1,871 per day, 78 per hour; and 1.3 per minute. [National Victim Center & Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center. 1992. Rape in America: A Report to the Nation].
- 9 out of 10 women raped on campus do not tell anyone about the rape [Rape Treatment Center, Santa Monica, 1995].
- One in 12 college men admit to acts that meet legal definitions of rape. [Koss, Woodruff, and Koss, 1990. Statistics on Sexual violence Against Women: A Criminological Study].
- At least 75% of college date rapes involved in the influence of alcohol or other drugs. [CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey, 1998].
- Less than 5% of college women report incidences of rape to the police. (Koss, Woodruff, and Koss,1990.) Statistics on Sexual violence Against Women: A Criminological Study].
- Only one percent of male students who rape is prosecuted. [U.S. Department of Justice, 1994. Violence Against Women, Bureau of Justice Statistics.]
Please understand, we are a Philanthropic Fund and not a law enforcement agency and we do not give legal advice. Please do not write to us requesting an attorney, money or for us to call the Police on your behalf as STARS does not possess the authority to do so. We have provided a list of resources for you on this site. We welcome any mail and try to help in any way we can. Please understand that we fund qualified 501 (c)(3) organizations that, in turn, can help victims and their families.
