Quick Escape
Peg Langhammer, Executive Director of Day One, Announces Retirement in September After Four Decades of Trailblazing Leadership
Providence, RI - July 12, 2024
Day One, recognized as Rhode Island’s sexual assault coalition and rape crisis center, announces the retirement of Peg Langhammer, its esteemed Executive Director. Peg plans to step down as Director in September 2024. Day One, who celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, is the only agency in Rhode Island organized specifically to deal with issues of sexual assault as a community concern. Langhammer’s retirement marks the end of an era, concluding over four decades of tireless dedication, visionary leadership, and groundbreaking advocacy in the fight against sexual violence in Rhode Island and nationwide.
"It has been my honor to serve as Day One’s Executive Director for over 40 years. Looking back, I am amazed at how far we have come as a country in discussing sexual violence, but there is still so much more to do! I’m confident that the organization is in a great position to continue its critical work supporting and advocating for Rhode Islanders in need,” said Langhammer.
Peg Langhammer's career has been defined by her unwavering commitment to survivors of sexual assault and her instrumental role in shaping policies to address sexual violence on both state and national levels. Throughout her tenure, Peg has been a driving force behind legislative initiatives and statewide protocols aimed at building better response systems for Rhode Islanders affected by sexual violence.
"Peg Langhammer's impact on the fight against sexual violence in Rhode Island cannot be overstated. Her leadership, unwavering dedication, and tireless advocacy have transformed the landscape of sexual assault response and prevention in our state," said Peter Loescher, Board President. "We are immensely grateful for Peg's decades of service and the lasting legacy she leaves behind."
Peg has been a staple at the statehouse advocating for victims since the beginning. In the 1970s, she worked with legislators to update the antiquated rape laws and broaden the definition of sexual assault. In the 1980s, Langhammer worked hard to make marital rape a crime in Rhode Island, as the concept of rape at the time was often thought of as committed by strangers. In 1983, Peg stood up for women’s rights to privacy when Day One received a subpoena for a victim’s record. In order to ensure the clients right to privacy, she refused to turn over the records to the court and was found in contempt and sent to the ACI for the night until the victim willingly released her record to the court. In the 1990s, Peg worked on a national level to help launch the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA was the first federal legislation acknowledging sexual assault and domestic violence as crimes and provided federal resources to encourage community-coordinated responses to combating violence against women.
At this time, Peg was also instrumental in bringing NCA’s national model to Rhode Island with the establishment of the state’s Children's Advocacy Center (CAC), a move that radically changed the way that child sexual abuse is handled in our state. Building on the CAC’s national model and the MDT approach, Peg has been instrumental in introducing legislation and developing statewide protocols specific to Human Trafficking, Child Pornography, and Adult Sexual Assault, to build better response systems for Rhode Islanders who have been affected by or are at risk of sexual violence.
In the 2000s, Peg worked with the state’s Justice Commission (now the Department of Public Safety) to establish the Law Enforcement Advocacy (LEA) program. Serving as liaisons between victims and law enforcement officers, making Rhode Island the first state in the country to have such widespread representation. In the 2010s, Langhammer testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C., in support of improvements to address sexual assaults on college campuses. More recently, Peg has worked to help update and introduce state laws including mandatory reporting within schools, pass legislation extending the civil statute of limitations from seven years to 35 years for cases of child sexual abuse, increasing the age children can utilize a forensic interview for grand jury purposes, and is currently working toward passing legislation increasing access to victim’s compensation funds for victims of sexual assault and developing legislation to combat “deep fake pornography.”
Although Peg will be stepping down as Executive Director in September 2024, her commitment to advocacy work will continue as she will remain connected with Day One to advocate at the statehouse and assist in building the organization's fundraising goals. Her wealth of experience and unwavering dedication will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of Day One and the fight against sexual violence in Rhode Island.
Please join us in congratulating Peg on her well-earned retirement and for her unparalleled contributions to the fight against sexual violence. Future generations will continue to benefit from her leadership and passion, as she leaves a legacy that will have positive change in the lives of many for years to come.
Requests for comments or media inquiries can be directed to John Canole, Chief Operations & Strategy Officer at jcanole@dayoneri.org or 401.421.4100 x109
