South Carolina ranks second in the nation for violence against women according to the Violence Policy Center. South Carolina has been in the top 10 for the past 15 years for rates of man on woman homicide. The Rape Crisis Center of Horry and Georgetown Counties is trying to cut down on those numbers by training volunteers on how to help victims of sexual assault.
October 24-27th at the Horry Georgetown Technical College, crisis center workers, medical professionals and law enforcement will teach volunteers how to best help rape victims.
They’ll be learning how assist ER workers, how to speak to someone who has been sexually assaulted, and how represent them in the hospital.
Alana Cox is the volunteer coordinator at the rape crisis center. She said victims may want support while they are under care.
“You know staying with them up until they’re discharged. Really being a buffer between hospital staff and law enforcement and being a helping hand to let them know they are not alone.”
The crisis center is currently looking for volunteers and accepting donations. Clothing donations should be unworn with the tag still attached. Contact them at 843-448-3180 for Myrtle Beach and 843-545-5198 in Georgetown.
If you need to speak with a rape crisis counselor right away, please call the crisis hotline at (843) 448-RAPE.