The Grateful Garment Project

Restoring Dignity after Sexual Assault is the topic of Lisa Blanchard's presentation. When she was an undergraduate she was looking for a way to help others when a chance conversation led her to look into the plight of women reporting sexual assault. Sometimes these victims-already traumatized by the assault-suffer the indignity of being sent home in a paper hospital gown after their clothes are kept as police evidence. Exams can last anywhere from three and a half to ten hours, depending on whether victims need medical treatment. Victims include both males and females, and range in age from infants to senior citizens.

Since its start in 2010, Lisa's project has grown to supply SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) facilities in 15 counties and more have come asking for help. After she investigated further she found lots of different needs- new clothes, toiletries, food to help victims tolerate the medications, and more. "I had no idea when I started my simple class project that I was hitting a vein of need that was so immense, that basically it's consumed my life for the past year," said Blanchard.

Location is close to Wolfe Rd. and has an entrance to parking on Linnet Lane.

For more information contact Laurel Brock, laureldparis [at] yahoo.com