Donors Lead the Fight Against
Sexual Assault

Your Generosity Helps McLeod Establish the Region’s First and Only Forensic Nurse Examiner Program

Thanks to McLeod Health Foundation donors like you, victims of sexual assault in the Pee Dee now have immediate access to specialized, trauma-informed care.

When a hospital lacks a forensic nurse examiner program, victims of sexual violence are treated among the general emergency department population. This means vulnerable individuals, fresh off their life’s most traumatic moments, are forced to sit hours in the waiting room to receive treatment that fails to meet the standard of care. This experience traumatizes victims even further.

Now, thanks to your generosity, our region’s sexual assault victims are immediately triaged and provided a complete forensic exam in a private space dedicated to this care. 

Before the McLeod Forensic Nursing program was established, victims of sexual violence in our region had to travel 100+ miles to receive a forensic exam. Hundreds of victims have made this profoundly difficult journey over the years. But an untold number, debilitated by the assault against, have decided to forgo treatment altogether.

Thanks to you, no longer.

“The need for this program is clear,” said Shannon Scott, the program’s coordinator. “Our first pediatric patient was just three years old.”

Forensic nurses are specially trained to provide compassionate and understanding care to both pediatric and adult victims of sexual assault. Additionally, these nurses are experts in victim advocacy – they assist patients in their long-term recovery.

In addition to helping ensure our region’s victims receive the highest standard of care, McLeod Foundation donors have also played a crucial role in lifting spirits during these distressing times.

Through the McLeod Foundation’s HERO Fund, pediatric victims are given backpacks – known as Comfort Bags -- containing teddy bears, coloring books, crayons, and new clothes.

“I wish that donors could see the change when we give a precious, frightened child a teddy bear to hold close or place a coloring book and crayons in their lap,” Shannon says. “And, they are so proud when we provide them new, pretty clothing. What a blessing this fund is for children.”

You can be a Hero for a child who is the victim of assault by making a gift of $50 to provide a Hero Bag while they are in the Emergency Department. The bags include items of comfort and a change of clothes. To be a Hero, visit mcleodinspiredbyyou.org or return your gift in the reply envelope provided.