Do you have a handbag for a true heroine?

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 dignity

One 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 difference

Jes 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
• Liquid soap (wash away the negativity)
• Body cream
• Sanitary pads
• Face cloth
• Lipstick
• Chocolate
• Anything to make them feel special!

For children (they actually require two bags - a rape bag and a court bag - please refer to the website for more details):

• Nappies
• Small teddy bear

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:
"No matter what has happened you are special, and please don't let anyone take that away from you. You can, and will, get through this. There are so many people who really care and will help you gain your strength. This gift is given to you with love from Louise".

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.