By Pat Culverhouse
Victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault will be receiving immediate assistance during their most difficult times thanks to a unique partnership between law enforcement and the Minden community.
Chief of Police Jared McIver said the need for special consideration and accommodations for the victims and family members, which often include small children, has resulted in an outpouring of assistance.
“We had a situation where a mother and her four children were getting away from an abusive circumstance and they arrived here with nothing,” he said. “We realized something more was needed and we began asking for help from local people and organizations. The results have been truly amazing.”
McIver said the response has been overwhelming. Donations poured from individuals and organizations, and now a room at police headquarters is filled with supplies, toys and other items.
A major boost came from Ward Marshal Danny Weaver in the form of a $10,000 check which was delivered Monday.
“We’re always willing to help when we can and this is something that we certainly want to be a part of,” Weaver said.
McIver said the money will be used for a fund dedicated to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes affecting families.
Another major benefactor has been Minden Medical Center. McIver said MMC has stepped up with donations that include furniture, toys and a television set for what will become a comfort room for victims and children.
MMC will also be providing materials to assist in the renovation of the new room.
“We’re going to remodel a room here at the headquarters that will be specifically for them,” he said. “It will allow us to get the children into a safe atmosphere where they can take their minds off what’s happening. They could be here for hours and we need them to be comfortably separated from the investigation.”
McIver said another Minden business contributed much needed items for the victims and children.
“We talked to Mercy’s Closet and they told us to come and get anything we needed,” he said. “They were very generous.”
Much of the impetus for the focus on victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence is new Detective Heather Boucher. Boucher has a lengthy resume of success dealing with sex crimes, crimes involving juveniles and domestic abuse.
“This new room will be directly across from my office, so I’ll not only be able to interview victims in a more controlled atmosphere, I’ll also be able to check on the children and be sure they’re doing as well as they can,” she said.
Work on the new room is scheduled to begin quickly, McIver said, and thanks goes to the many outside sources that have provided funds and supplies.
“We could not have done this, and done it so quickly, without the help of so many people,” he said. “The community responded and it just got bigger and bigger. They helped kickstart an idea into a reality.”
