Illinois National Guard Volunteers Donate Clothes to Rape Crisis Centers

Story by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

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Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office/ Sgt. Maj. Diane Rogers of Girard, sexual assault response coordinator for the Illinois National Guard, shows She

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/04/2012)(readMedia)-- Soldiers with the Illinois National Guard's Sexual Assault Response Coordination office at Camp Lincoln in Springfield donated clothes May 2 to the Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault collected during Sexual Assault Awareness month.

"The community and crisis centers across the state provide essential support for the Illinois National Guard's victims of sexual assault and this is an excellent opportunity to in-turn show our support," said Sgt. Maj. Diane Rogers of Girard, sexual assault response coordinator (SARC) for the Illinois National Guard.

During the month of April, 31 volunteers from Illinois Air and Army National Guard armories throughout Illinois collected clothing to donate to rape crisis centers for victims, said Rogers.

"Our staff wanted to help the organizations that often provide services to National Guard Soldiers," said Doreen Misiorek of Taylorville with the SARC's office. "The donations will be given survivors of sexual assault who relinquish all of their clothing for a forensic exam and have nothing to wear."

Misiorek said the Illinois National Guard works hand-in-hand with crisis centers to aid their mission.

"These donations let the community know that the Illinois National Guard is taking a strong stance against sexual harassment and assault and that we support local organizations who share our same mission of eliminating sexual violence," said Misiorek.