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JACKSON, Miss. -- The Center for Violence Prevention is now offering sexual assault crisis services. And that means victims can get support from day one.
“We will actually send advocates out to the emergency rooms to sit by the bedside of victims as they go through the rape kit and forensic exam,” explained Executive Director Sandy Middleton at a press conference this morning at the State Capital.
She said from that point forward, victims will continue to receive their services, whether they decided to press charges against their attacker or not. “We’ll be able to provide advocacy and therapy there at the center.”
Middleton pointed out at today that out of every 100 rapes, only 46 are reported to police. “We have worked with a multitude of rape victims who never reported their attacks, much less received support services from the community.”
Attorney General Jim hood says right now victims who do report the crime, typically don’t receive advocacy support services until their case goes before a grand jury. “So this is a great thing that they are putting together. And it will be examples that we can spread around the state.”
The Center for Violence Prevention provides services to Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds, Issaquena, Madison, Rankin, Sharkey, Simpson, Warren and Yazoo Counties. To get help, call their 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-266-4198.
