Shafer Center Makes Impactful Donation

South Central Regional Medical Center Emergency Department

South Central Regional Medical Center expresses thanks to The Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention for their donation to the Emergency Department. The organization donated over 100 undergarments for victims of sexual assault or abuse. The Shafer Center is a local, non-profit agency that offers therapy, advocacy and other support opportunities for victims, survivors and co-victims.

“We are thankful for this donation to our facility,” states Twila Coleman, RN, SCRMC Emergency Department Director. “Many times individuals do not have access to undergarments when discharged from medical care. Often clothing cannot be salvaged when it is possibly cut off in the course of treatment and the patient leaves the hospital in oversize scrubs.”

“Somebody who has been sexually assaulted has gone through enough trauma, and then they have to leave the hospital feeling exposed,” states Teressa Ellzey, Victim Advocate at The Shafer Center. “This is underwear that no person wants to wear, but we are proud to be able to offer a simple item to provide a small feeling of normalcy.”

The Shafer Center is a free community resource center that provides support through highly trained staff. The staff offer advocacy in crisis situations for individuals and surviving family members of violent crimes including: sexual assault, rape, and homicide.

Pictured L-R: Twila Coleman, RN, SCRMC ED and Teressa Ellzey, Victim Advocate/Educator, Shafer Center.