​​Safe Communities

Safe Communities is part of the Plain Communities Task Force (PCTF) of Lancaster County, a group of organizations that work to combat sexual abuse in Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities.
Many who have suffered abuse, especially women who want to share their stories or get help for their children, worry that there could be serious repercussions for speaking out.
Crockett said she's met with about 175 Plain individuals over the past 18 months, and what she's hearing about sexual abuse is "heartbreaking ... Many of the Amish themselves say it's out of control. ...
"It almost takes my breath away when I see the need in this community, so we're really hoping to get as much support as we can."

Revived Plain Communities Task Force Targets Sexual Abuse

For decades, outside agencies have tended to defer to Amish leaders and to the Amish commitment to live apart from mainstream society. That has deprived victims from the equal protection of the law, Crockett said, citing an Amish man who told her: "We want to be treated like citizens." Amish culture is indeed changing; phone usage is widespread; it's much harder to keep a sexual abuse case from coming out.

Parenting for Safety During the
Holiday Season

Director Linda Crockett wrote a blog on keeping kids safe over the holidays for the Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation. The blog includes tips for parents and caregivers on how to talk to children about staying safe from sexual harm and empowering them to speak up when a boundary is crossed. Be sure to read the full article and check out the suggested resources to help keep kids safe!
Click here to read more

Cafe con Leche Interview: “Teaching Children About Safe and Unsafe Touch”
July 20, 2021
on WLCH 91.3 FM, SACA Radio
Listen to Safe Communities Director, Linda Crockett speak with Hector Valdez.

Linda Crockett and Pastor Mark Harris on creating the Guide to Creating Safe Environments for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in the Congregation

Local organization creates resource guide for churches to help members who have experienced sexual abuse
LNP/Lancaster Online:
May 24, 2021 (online)
May 29, 2021 (print)

Photo: LNP, Suzette Wagner

congregational_guidebook_article_in_lnp_5_25_2021.pdf
File Size:	397 kb
File Type:	pdf

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A Church Dismantled Podcast: Live at 345

May 6, 2021

Conrad Kanagy of 'A Church Dismantled' Podcast, hosts Safe Communities Director, Linda Crockett

Reopening Anxiety - Neeta Dedhia_LNP Print
LNP/Lancaster Online: May 15, 2021 (print)
Reopening Anxiety

Reopening Anxiety Workshops - Neeta Dedhia_FOX 43 News Interview
Fox 43 News at 10: May 5, 2021
Safe Communities Reopening Anxiety Workshop

Reopening Anxiety Workshops - Neeta Dedhia_LNP Online
LNP/Lancaster Online: May 3, 2021 (online)
Neeta Dedhia interview on Reopening Anxiety Workshops

Hourglass: Listening to Lancaster (S2:E2) – Safe Communities and ZOE International

Hourglass: Listening to Lancaster:
January 28, 2021

Jonathan Russell (Hourglass, Executive Director) joins Linda Crockett (Safe Communities, Director) and Brad Ortenzi (ZOE International) for a conversation about child sexual abuse and child trafficking prevention in Lancaster County.

Justice for Pennsylvania Child Sexual Abuse Survivors is Delayed Yet Again
LNP/Lancaster Online - February 5, 2021
by Linda Crockett, Director, Safe Communities
Photo: LNP, Blaine Shahan

justice_for_pennsylvania_child_sexual_abuse_survivors.pdf
File Size:	156 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Sexual abuse in Plain communities is the target of task force from judge, nonprofit leader
LNP/Lancaster Online - August 20, 2020 by Hurubie Meko
Photo: LNP, Suzette Wenger

lnp_8_20_20.pdf
File Size:	354 kb
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Following Investigation, Pennsylvania County Launches Plain Communities Task Force to Address Sexual Abuse
Type Investigations - August 19, 2020
by Sarah McClure

Lancaster task force focusing on abuse in Plain communities
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette- August 30, 2020 by Peter Smith

Contact: Neeta Dedhia, Safe Communities, 717-560-9989, info@safecommunitiespa.org
Contact: Linda Rentschler, Humanitarian Social Innovations, 610-451-4798, lrentschler@humanitariansocialinnovations.com

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