When sexual assault survivors complete a rape kit, they have to leave their clothes as evidence. Already upset, they have to leave the hospital in only scrubs.
In order to ease this process, the Ohio University Survivor Advocacy Program created a clothing drive so survivors can leave in a full outfit instead.
“Walking out in clothes hopefully can help survivors feel a bit more human,” said Corey Stevens, the program’s graduate assistant. “It can help survivors know that people at OU really do care about them and their wellbeing.”
The clothing drive, which began April 27, ends today. Pick up locations include the Women’s Center, McKee House, Morton Hall and Grosvenor West. The donations needed are T-shirts — especially small, medium and extra extra large sizes — oversized or lounge pants and new underwear, Stevens said.
The clothing, coupled with follow-up resource information and comfort items such as chocolate and tea, will be gathered into survivor care packages to donate to local hospitals.
“[The packages] say, ‘Hey, we didn’t forget about you just because the exam is done,’” said Carina Turner, the program’s peer advocate leader.
The clothing drive for care packages is only one program orchestrated by the recently created Survivor Advocacy Program. The Program provides resources for survivors of sexual assault, stalking and domestic violence, said Turner, a senior studying psychology.
Victims call a hotline for immediate help. From there, the confidential program can refer them to any service the victim wants from hospital rape kits to psychological services to the police department.
“It’s about taking them from victim to survivor in whatever way we can,” Turner said.
The program only refers survivors to services of their choice and comfort levels vary. With the recent wave of reported sexual assaults on campus, the program is particularly pertinent, and the clothing drive is a way anyone can help and donate, Turner said.
“It affects the lives of so many women and men … especially on college campuses,” Stevens said. “It’s important for all of us to be safe on this campus.”
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