Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) are coordinating a clothing drive, April 1-30 for victims of sexual assault.

Chief Personnel Specialist Evelyn Fosu-Enninful, NECC Force Sexual Assault Prevention & Response point of contact emphasized the importance of assisting the victim.

"Clothing collection is a vital part of the sexual assault examination," said Fosu-Enninful, who added that after an assault the police department will often retain the victim's clothing to collect skin cells or other traces from the attack that might prove vital in the investigation. "Finding replacement clothes to get the victim home from the hospital is not always easy."

Fosu-Enninful added that often the victim doesn't have spare clothes to change into. These types of drives are instrumental to helping the victim.

The 2017 Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month theme is, Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission. This theme offers numerous opportunities to deliver messages that relate to both the individual and unit level. Each service member- regardless of grade - can encourage behaviors that foster a climate of dignity and respect, and in doing so, help ensure our readiness to complete the Department's mission.

Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Deborah Batts, who is assigned to ECRC and serves as the SAPR point of contact, echoed the importance of the drive.

"The lack of clothing leaves victims feeling more vulnerable in an already difficult situation, and so we want to provide them with new clothing to wear home to help maintain their dignity," said Batts.

The clothes collected during this drive will be provided to victims of sexual assault who are treated at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.

The types of clothing requested include sweat pants, T-shirts, socks, slippers and underwear.

For more information about this drive, please visit ECRC's website: http://www.public.navy.mil/NECC/ecrc/Pages/default.aspx

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