NEW NETWORK NEEDS COMMUNITY'S HELP

In just a few short months, the efforts of a group organizing a facility to aid victims of sexual assault and abuse in Cape Girardeau County has come a long way. The new organization, called Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence, brings together under one roof a safe area for women and children who have been assaulted plus a rape crisis center. The aim is to give victims the assistance they need in one location and with one trained team, rather than sending victims from place to place.

The new center is a cooperative effort including medical experts, law enforcement agencies and sexual assault advocacy groups. Each is lending its own expertise to the center.

In addition to organizing, the center has obtained not-for-profit status with the IRS. Donations are urgently needed to get the center up and running. Early commitments include $1,000 raised through a hair style show sponsored by Style Shop Impact in Jackson. This money will be used to acquire computer equipment. In addition, medical equipment necessary when a rape occurs has been donated.

The new network is at a point that it is ready to hire an executive director and seek grants to fund operations. There will be other needs as well. But the biggest need right now is a location for the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence. The group would prefer a residential setting, but it is possible a commercial building could be used. The network is hoping some generous benefactor will make a suitable site available.

Like the Safe House for Women that already provides much-needed refuge for women who find themselves in abusive situations, the new network's location would remain unpublicized.

One aim of the network is to lay the groundwork for successful prosecution of those charged with sexual abuse and assault. Right now, the various agencies involved in such cases often find themselves unable to produce airtight evidence because of a lack of coordination that comes from having to move victims around from place to place and because timely evidence isn't always obtained.

Anyone interested in more information about the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence or interested in donating should call Tammy Gwaltney, president of the organization, at 334-5866.