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SpanishWomen’s Resource Center and hospitals assist survivors of sexual assault
Mary Hotchkiss, a therapist with the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, is pictured preparing sexual assault exam kits, survivor clothing kits and resource materials for use by area hospitals when assisting survivors of sexual assault.
Safety and support of the survivor is vitally important immediately following sexual assault, according to Mary Hotchkiss, a therapist with the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM). “The local hospitals call us when there is a sexual assault and a trained staff member is available 24-hours a day to go directly to the hospital to provide support to the survivor, survivor’s family and to hospital personnel,” Hotchkiss explained.
In Michigan, the legal term for sexual assault or rape is Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC). It is defined as any form of unwanted sexual contact obtained without consent and/or obtained through the use of force, threat of force, intimidation or coercion.
Sexual assault survivors have the choice to undergo a forensic exam during which trained hospital personnel gather important evidence, including DNA, to establish that a crime has occurred. The collection of this evidence is helpful if the survivor chooses to pursue legal action against the perpetrator.
Michigan State Police provides the WRCNM forensic exam kits at no charge. Hotchkiss works with local hospitals to restock their supply on a monthly basis. The forensic exams are also provided to survivors free of charge using funds available from a state grant.
As part of the exam, the survivor’s clothing is often taken as evidence. Hotchkiss explains that the Women’s Resource Center also provides a survivor clothing kit which includes a shirt, pants, underclothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, comb and deodorant, supplied by the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan.
“We appreciate that the hospitals work together with us at the Women’s Resource Center because that continuity of care is so important when assisting survivors,” said Hotchkiss. After the survivor leaves the hospital, the WRCNM continues to provide ongoing services that include free and confidential counseling, legal advocacy (court support) and support groups.
The WRCNM services the five counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties and during the past fiscal year provided supportive services to 290 sexual assault survivors, 84 of whom were under 18 years of age.
For more information about the WRCNM’s free and confidential services, call their 24-hour crisis and information line at (231) 347-0082 or (800) 275-1995 for long distance callers.
Safety and support of the survivor is vitally important immediately following sexual assault, according to Mary Hotchkiss, a therapist with the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM). “The local hospitals call us when there is a sexual assault and a trained staff member is available 24-hours a day to go directly to the hospital to provide support to the survivor, survivor’s family and to hospital personnel,” Hotchkiss explained.
In Michigan, the legal term for sexual assault or rape is Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC). It is defined as any form of unwanted sexual contact obtained without consent and/or obtained through the use of force, threat of force, intimidation or coercion.
Sexual assault survivors have the choice to undergo a forensic exam during which trained hospital personnel gather important evidence, including DNA, to establish that a crime has occurred. The collection of this evidence is helpful if the survivor chooses to pursue legal action against the perpetrator.
Michigan State Police provides the WRCNM forensic exam kits at no charge. Hotchkiss works with local hospitals to restock their supply on a monthly basis. The forensic exams are also provided to survivors free of charge using funds available from a state grant.
As part of the exam, the survivor’s clothing is often taken as evidence. Hotchkiss explains that the Women’s Resource Center also provides a survivor clothing kit which includes a shirt, pants, underclothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, comb and deodorant, supplied by the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan.
“We appreciate that the hospitals work together with us at the Women’s Resource Center because that continuity of care is so important when assisting survivors,” said Hotchkiss. After the survivor leaves the hospital, the WRCNM continues to provide ongoing services that include free and confidential counseling, legal advocacy (court support) and support groups.
The WRCNM services the five counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties and during the past fiscal year provided supportive services to 290 sexual assault survivors, 84 of whom were under 18 years of age.
For more information about the WRCNM’s free and confidential services, call their 24-hour crisis and information line at (231) 347-0082 or (800) 275-1995 for long distance callers.