Local teen activist delivers hundreds of clothes to Mayo Clinic Health System for sexual assault survivors
ONALASKA, Wis. (WKBT) – An Onalaska High School junior is advocating for sexual assault survivors.
In February, Jessica Randall started collecting clothing to donate to our local health care systems.
When survivors report an assault their clothes are sometimes taken into evidence.
Then, in some cases, they are sent home from hospitals or clinics wearing paper scrubs and disposable underwear.
When Randall learned about this, she knew something needed to be done.
She explained that it’s dehumanizing for people going through this kind of traumatic experience, and they deserve better.
“This isn’t just about collecting clothes. It’s about spreading awareness because most people don’t know that this happens,” Randall said.
On Tuesday, she delivered nine boxes filled with more than 700 pieces of clothing to Mayo Clinic’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE).
She said you don’t always have to go to great lengths to make a big difference.
“The biggest thing I can take away is that there are so many injustices in the world and in our communities right here in front of us. All it takes is one person to see something and get the support of everyone else – and you can make a change.”
In addition to clothing, Randall collected monetary donations to purchase new undergarments for both men and women.
She will also be donating clothes to Gundersen Health System in the coming weeks.
But her work is far from over.
“I had a spur-of-the-moment idea, but now I’m planning on continuing this year-round and handing it down to other students in my school once I graduate because this need isn’t going to go away.”
Her initiative is now known as the “Survivor Clothing Project.”
“You never realize your potential, what you can do for someone. Anyone can do it.”
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