FAST FACTS:
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 4/29/2009) At the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center, rape victims find help, someone to talk to and start the investigation of their crime.
But now, the center is under fire for not having enough nurses to help rape victims.
District Attorney Bill Gibbons says the shortage is serious, "We have situations where forensic exams are not being conducted promptly in a rape case, as a result, it puts us in a difficulty in prosecuting a number of cases."
Gibbons sent a letter to city leaders in early February saying because of the city's current residency requirements a number of qualified nurses have been terminated, putting a strain on the center's ability to successfully handle the caseload.
Just Sunday, one woman bringing her teenage daughter to the center said no one was available to see the child and she was told to come back later.
Horn Lake police trying to get a teen rape victim tested also had a similar problem.
The center is a part of Memphis City Government's Public Services Department.
City officials say it was a case of mis-communication that led to the staff shortage over the weekend.
While the center is addressing staffing needs, city officials say the police department will have the center's on-call schedule and when an on-call nurse is not available officers will take appropriate action to assist victims.
Whatever the cause, Gibbons says it needs attention.
"Time is crucial. It's not a situation where you can wait a couple of day and have that exam. One, it needs to be done promptly, number two is must be done by qualified nurses who qualify as a witness at trial."
City officials tell us they are trying to hire more nurses, but many of the applicants don't meet the city's residency requirements.
The center also has no director.
- Memphis rape crisis center facing nursing shortage
- Rape victims reportedly having to wait for services
- City officials say the city's residency requirement is making it hard to find nurses to hire
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 4/29/2009) At the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center, rape victims find help, someone to talk to and start the investigation of their crime.
But now, the center is under fire for not having enough nurses to help rape victims.
District Attorney Bill Gibbons says the shortage is serious, "We have situations where forensic exams are not being conducted promptly in a rape case, as a result, it puts us in a difficulty in prosecuting a number of cases."
Gibbons sent a letter to city leaders in early February saying because of the city's current residency requirements a number of qualified nurses have been terminated, putting a strain on the center's ability to successfully handle the caseload.
Just Sunday, one woman bringing her teenage daughter to the center said no one was available to see the child and she was told to come back later.
Horn Lake police trying to get a teen rape victim tested also had a similar problem.
The center is a part of Memphis City Government's Public Services Department.
City officials say it was a case of mis-communication that led to the staff shortage over the weekend.
While the center is addressing staffing needs, city officials say the police department will have the center's on-call schedule and when an on-call nurse is not available officers will take appropriate action to assist victims.
Whatever the cause, Gibbons says it needs attention.
"Time is crucial. It's not a situation where you can wait a couple of day and have that exam. One, it needs to be done promptly, number two is must be done by qualified nurses who qualify as a witness at trial."
City officials tell us they are trying to hire more nurses, but many of the applicants don't meet the city's residency requirements.
The center also has no director.
