UPDATED 5/20/2009) The TN Comptroller of the Treasury confirms to WREG News Channel 3 that auditors are now in Memphis connected to the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center situation. However, the spokesman will NOT confirm that an audit of the center is underway.
tom.powell@wreg.com
(MEMPHIS May 19, 2009 9:09 PM) -- For years, the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center was well regarded for offering nationally recognized service to victims. Now the center is under intense scrutiny.
In April, two teens were turned away because of staffing issues, then on Tuesday, District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced an investigation into the center's finances.
Few people know the implications of the controversy better than Terre Fratesi. She prosecutes sexual assault cases. "Traditionally sexual assault cases are some of the most difficult to prosecute," she says. "This doesn't help."
Fratesi says when prosecuting cases, the testimony of the specifically certified nurses who worked at the Rape Crisis Center was crucial.
Fratesi worries what will happen if those nurses who've left the center are replaced with less qualified employees. "We've gone from that, to not knowing whether or not we're going to have adequate evidence to prosecute someone who sexually assaults a teenager," she says.
Memphis Area Women's Council Executive Director Deborah Clubb is also concerned about the controversy at the center. "People didn't do their jobs, and victims are suffering because of it," she says. "I think there needs to be a very, very strong look taken at who continues to work for the citizens."
Clubb is urging members of the council to introduce a resolution calling for an advisory board to oversee the center. The board would include victims of sexual assault, who could advise officials what the center needs most.
Right now, what everyone seems to think the center needs most, is a full staff, that will always be available to victims in need.
- FAST FACTS:
- Rape Crisis Center under intense scrutiny
- First victims turned away, now an investigation into the center's finances
- Advocates say change needs to happen quickly
tom.powell@wreg.com
(MEMPHIS May 19, 2009 9:09 PM) -- For years, the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center was well regarded for offering nationally recognized service to victims. Now the center is under intense scrutiny.
In April, two teens were turned away because of staffing issues, then on Tuesday, District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced an investigation into the center's finances.
Few people know the implications of the controversy better than Terre Fratesi. She prosecutes sexual assault cases. "Traditionally sexual assault cases are some of the most difficult to prosecute," she says. "This doesn't help."
Fratesi says when prosecuting cases, the testimony of the specifically certified nurses who worked at the Rape Crisis Center was crucial.
Fratesi worries what will happen if those nurses who've left the center are replaced with less qualified employees. "We've gone from that, to not knowing whether or not we're going to have adequate evidence to prosecute someone who sexually assaults a teenager," she says.
Memphis Area Women's Council Executive Director Deborah Clubb is also concerned about the controversy at the center. "People didn't do their jobs, and victims are suffering because of it," she says. "I think there needs to be a very, very strong look taken at who continues to work for the citizens."
Clubb is urging members of the council to introduce a resolution calling for an advisory board to oversee the center. The board would include victims of sexual assault, who could advise officials what the center needs most.
Right now, what everyone seems to think the center needs most, is a full staff, that will always be available to victims in need.
