Spokane's community sexual assault program needs help recruiting and packaging donations for clothing and self-care kits for survivors of sexual assault.
Sexual assault is a crime of power: a victims control and decision is stripped from them by the perpetrator. In the immediate aftermath of the crime, many survivors seek help from law enforcement and go to a hospital to receive medical care and have evidence collected from their body. The process of participating in a sexual assault examination can often feel revictimizing and dehumanizing for survivors. Part of this procedure requires that the victim gives their clothes as evidence to law enforcement in the hospital at the time of the police report. While some area hospitals provide sweats for the survivor to go home in, some only provide scrubs or a hospital gown.
The process of participating in a sexual assault examination can often feel revictimizing and dehumanizing for survivors. Part of this procedure requires that the victim gives their clothes as evidence to law enforcement in the hospital at the time of the police report. While some area hospitals provide sweats for the survivor to go home in, some only provide scrubs or a hospital gown.
Our agency would like to equip victim advocates responding to survivors in emergency rooms with bags of clothing and items that restore dignity and provide comfort to survivors of trauma.
If you would like more information about facilitating a clothing drive please contact our advocacy volunteer coordinator at (509)343-5021 or ecarden@lcsnw.org
