Do you have a handbag for a true heroine?Jessica Foord is a young woman who was raped a couple of years ago whilst hiking with her dad - http://www.jff.org.za/home.aspx - but rather than allowing the horrific experience to cow her into submission, instead she decided to fight back - and help other rape victims. Jessica is setting up trauma rooms at police stations where victim are taken & treated with dignity. She has started "The Handbag Project". Jes is asking for good condition handbags i.e. one you no longer use or one you may have received as a gift but will never use. Not only ladies handbags but children's and men's backpacks as it is not only women who are raped. Your chance to help protect a victim's dignityOne of the things a rape survivor does not get told is that they have to leave their panties and whatever else they are wearing e.g. shorts, jeans, skirt etc with the District Surgeon. Your chance to make a differenceJes is collecting the bags and in each bag she will have put the following: (obviously it would be greatly appreciated if you could hand in a bag with a few items but, even an empty handbag is of great help and Jes will fill it) Panties For children (they actually require two bags - a rape bag and a court bag - please refer to the website for more details): Nappies BUT, THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE IN THIS HANDBAG IS: - Please would each of you write a note to the survivor. Jes said it can be a few words or an essay but something from your heart to theirs. An example: When you are at your lowest, just receiving the bag with all the goodies, a simple gift that can give you hope, and hope is a fundamental step in recovery. Just so you are aware, Jes monitors the bags she hands to the police stations very carefully (i.e. they will be sealed in a plastic bag and numbered) and, as there have been incidents in the past where the bags have gone missing, a register will be kept. Approximately 10 bags will be given to each police station with the request that when they are down to their last two, to let Jes know so more will be supplied You can send to me and I will arrange that Jes gets them. For more information,and how to get your donations to Jessica, contact Jayde Goosen, moc.acittoxul.az@nesoog.edyaj. |