{ Assault Survivor Kits ^® }

We Ease The Trauma of Violence Against Women and Children

In 1994, members of Assistance League discovered a need to make clothing available to victims of assault, rape, or domestic violence. Assault victims’ clothing is often retained for evidence by authorities in a criminal investigation. Leaving victims with nothing more to wear than a paper gown only adds humiliation to their ordeal. The Assault Survivor Kits program provides new fresh clothing kits for the victims to wear when leaving the emergency room or treatment center. The kits include sweatpants, sweatshirts, a pair of socks and briefs. Unfortunately, in recent years, we have had many requests to prepare additional kits in children's sizes.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, it is estimated that in Indiana alone, each year there are 9,000 adult and child sexual assault victims. Unfortunately, this increase in sexual assaults has prompted us to increase our program to supply more clothing kits to agencies that specialize in serving child and teen assault victims.

During the 2007-2008 fiscal year, over 825 clothing kits and 744 extra undergarments were delivered to the following agencies:

Chaucie's Place
Clarian North Medical Center
Community Hospitals / Center of Hope
Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield
The Julian Center
Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital
Madison County Sexual Assault Treatment Center/Community Hospital in Anderson
Methodist Hospital Center of Hope
The Pediatric Center of Hope — Riley / Hospital
The Pediatric Center of Hope — Wishard / Hospital
Riverview Hospital
St. Francis Hospital Center of Hope
St. John's Hospital in Anderson
St. Vincent Carmel Hospital
St. Vincent Hospital Center of Hope
Wishard Memorial Hospital Center of Hope
Witham Hospital in Lebanon

A Center of Hope is a program within the emergency department of a hospital that is totally dedicated to treating sexual assault victims. Nurses are specially trained as forensic examiners to be experts at evidence collection and documentation. The Center is located within the emergency department so that all the resources of the department are immediately available if victims are critically injured.

"I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the clothes, which your organization so graciously donates to our Center of Hope. Our patients, who are victims of sexual assault, also greatly appreciate your gifts. It means so much to have something we can offer them after they have suffered such a traumatic event in their lives. We have had several patients express their appreciation for the sweats and panties. We always tell them of your generous organization."

Thanks again for your generosity,

-- Pamella Jahnke BSN, RN, CEN, SANE-A
Coordinator Center of Hope

View a short video about Assault Survivor Kits.

{ Assault Survivor Kits ® }

We Ease The Trauma of Violence Against Women and Children

{ Assault Survivor Kits ^® }