SEXUAL-ASSAULT CENTER OFFERS SOLACE, AID

For victims of sexual assault, one of the toughest decisions is whether or not to seek help. They fear the trauma of having to tell their story over and over again to doctors, police officers, prosecutors and therapists. To address this concern, a group of volunteers from professional fields involved in dealing with sexual-assault cases have been working to develop a center that would provide advocacy and eliminate some of the horror of reliving the assault.

That center became a reality last Sunday when the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence officially opened its center at 63 Doctors Park. The new center occupies space donated by Dr. Jonathan Thomas, who has supported the group's efforts from the start.

At the center, a variety of services are offered, ranging from necessary medical exams to follow-up counseling. A team of professional specialists -- nurses, doctors, counselor and law-enforcement officers -- will be available around the clock to assist victims.

One service of particular importance at the center is a videotaping process, made possible by state-of-the-art equipment purchased with donated funds, which will allow police, prosecutors and therapists to obtain vital information from one interview instead of subjecting victims to multiple sessions of questions and answers.

The center will handle cases involving both adults and children. The professional team has received specialized training. In addition to providing the best care for victims, one aim of the center is to provide credible information that will hold up in courts as rapists and molesters are prosecuted.

Those who have volunteered their time over the past two years to make the center a reality are proud of the high quality of services and equipment that will serve the entire region. But the center still needs donations to maintain its operations.

Donors to the center may qualify for a 50 percent tax credit. Anyone interested in providing support may contact the center by calling 334-8802 or by writing to P.O. Box 1341, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702. All support will be greatly appreciated.