Soroptimist International of Crescent City

Rape Crisis Center

In the Campaign against Sexual Assault of women and girls, it is estimated that 60% of these crimes go unreported because of the social and emotional stigma that sexual assault crimes carry. When women and girls do report the crime and report for a very invasive sexual assault examination, every piece of clothing that they walk in with is confiscated as prosecution evidence. When we interviewed survivors, they told us that this was the most devastating part of the entire procedure. They were left felling that they were the offender and felt further victimized by the system that is suppose to help them heal.

We saw a need to assist these women and girls and in 2006 and we made a donation of $1000 to the Northcoast Rape Crisis Center for their purchase of Rape Crisis Comfort Kits.

In 2007 we received a Soroptimist Club Grant to assist us in a hands on service project. We made this our identifying project and we continue to this day. With these funds we purchase items for the comfort kits which include a back pack, sweat shirt & pant, t-shirt and lounge pant, socks, shoes, under garments, personal care items, journal, pencil, snacks, candle, water and a plush animal. These Comfort Kits are distributed to victims during their crisis intervention counseling while still in the hospital.