April is “Sexual Assault Awareness” month and Michigan State Police posts around the state will be collection points for the “Purses with a Purpose” initiative to help victims of sexual assault. MSP Lieutenant Mike Shaw told Michigan News Network the purses and bags are filled with comfort items and toiletries to give to local shelters.
“One of our community service troopers up in the northern part of Michigan started to collect items because a lot of the time, people are fleeing from these types of situations, they don’t have anything at all, except for the clothing on their back.”
Shaw says sexual assault is a hard crime to track because many victims do not come forward. Shaw says men can also be victims and sometimes it is even more difficult for them to come forward, especially when the first responder is a man. Drop off locations include the Meijer in Stevensville and the Michigan State Police post in Niles.
