Volunteers wanted to work with sexual assault victims

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Feb. 5, 2003
Caring, non-judgmental hearts are needed Thursday according to Ginger Grissom Stevens, associate director of Wesley House Community Center Inc.
The center, which has housed the East Mississippi Sexual Assault Crisis Center for 14 years, is holding a training session for volunteers interested in helping victims of sexual assault.
Stevens said the center now has 10 volunteers who act as support for sexual assault victims.
Several speakers will participate in the free training session including Casey McElhenney, a sexual assault investigator with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department; Darrell Theall, detective with the Meridian Police Department; and Lillie Cooks, a social worker with the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
Cooks said she will talk to potential volunteers about her job dealing with suspected sexual abuse in children.
She said her agency works closely with Wesley House in referring families to the Crisis Center for counseling.
Stevens said the law enforcement and medical aspect of sexual assault also will be discussed at the training session. She added participants will have a question-and-answer period.