From left, Linda Goddard, Pat McAllister, Ann Davenport and Mary Sue Brancato with the Assistance League put together assault survivor kits.
The Assistance League of Kansas City (ALKC) has provided more than 1,550 Assault Survivor Kits to sexual assault or domestic abuse victims in the last two years.
The kits include new clothing and underwear, hygiene items and the book “Recovering from Rape,” written by Linda E. Ledray.
“The kits help those whose garments are retained by police for evidence to leave the hospital comfortably and with dignity,” said Karen Mollohan, Public Relations Chairman for ALKC. Without the kits women, and men, “could leave in a paper gown. We want them to at least have some dignity and a feeling that there are people that really, really care.”
Assistance League members purchase items and assemble the kits; then the kits are given to MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) which delivers them to the area hospitals and those working with assault victims.
This past year MADI Apparel (Make a Difference Intimate Apparel) joined the effort and has donated 150 pair of underwear to ALKC for the Assault Survivor Kits.
ALKC has received encouraging feedback from women who have received the kits such as the words of one victim: “I am very grateful for the clothes, the police took mine.”
With April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month ALKC invites others to assist them in their efforts.
“In order to help our organization continue to provide comfortable clothing and the contents of our kits, financial contributions are always welcome,” said Mollohan.
The kits are just one of eight projects ALKC supports with their Resale Shop in Gladstone, which generated $550,000 last year.
The group also purchases clothing for Operation School Bell which helps needy children get brand new clothing for school. “The self-esteem issue is just amazing,” said Mollohan. “We clothed 2,570 kids last year.”
Donations may be mailed to Assistance League of Kansas City, Assault Survivor Kits program, 6101 N. Chestnut, Gladstone, MO 64119. Information is available at www.alkc.org.
