Tom Powell

8:35 p.m. CDT, June 18, 2009
  • FAST FACTS:
  • Closed door meeting held to discuss MSARC transition
  • Debate became intense over different views on moving forward
  • Many nurses returned to work after county took control

tom.powell@wreg.com

(MEMPHIS June 18, 2009 8:35 PM) -- Mayor Wharton addressed the media Thursday after holding a closed door meeting with victims, nurses, doctors, police and advocates about the future of the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center.

Troubles at the center came to light back in April, after detectives desperately tried to get a young rape victim help. Nobody was on call at the center, and the victim was told to come back at a later time. Tempers soon erupted over what advocates called mismanagement.. The number of nurses was declining, and staffing had become a major issue.

Last week city and county leaders came together, and decided the city division directors would no longer be in charge, instead the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department would take over, giving oversight of the center to Health Department Director Yvonne Madlock. We're told it wasn't long before nurses started coming back.

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Mayor Wharton said Thursday's meeting was intense, because those involved in the field have deeply held beliefs on how the system should operate.

"I don't know if you can tell by the look on my face," Wharton said after the meeting, "It's been one of the most intense, draining meetings I've been in."

At issue? Should victims go to one centralized location for counseling and testing. There are two views; one that children and adult victims should all be served at MSARC, another that children should only be seen at Le Bonheur.

Those involved will meet again in 30 days to continue the discussion. Mayor Wharton says citizens should rest assured the center is now fully staffed, with a nurse on call at all times.