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Materials for conducting a sexual assault examination are prepared for the next rape survivor at the Solace Center in Raleigh.
Editor’s note: This article is Part 2 of a two-part investigative series.
For years, if sexual assault survivors in Cumberland County sought care, they could count on going to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, where the hospital’s highly trained and certified sexual assault nurse examiners would provide treatment and gather the forensic evidence needed for law enforcement to build a criminal case against their attacker.
About a year ago, advocates for sexual assault survivors noticed a staffing change, said Deanne Gerdes, executive director of Rape Crisis of Cumberland County.
BPR s Matt Bush speaks with Carolina Public Press lead investigative reporter Kate Martin.
Editor’s note: This article is Part 2 of a two-part investigative series. Part one can be read here.
For years, if sexual assault survivors in Cumberland County sought care, they could count on going to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, where the hospital’s highly trained and certified sexual assault nurse examiners would provide treatment and gather the forensic evidence needed for law enforcement to build a criminal case against their attacker.
About a year ago, advocates for sexual assault survivors noticed a staffing change, said Deanne Gerdes, executive director of Rape Crisis of Cumberland County.
Several Democrats get co-chairmanships in N. Carolina House
January 13, 2021 GMT
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Four Democrats landed prized chairmanships on Wednesday in the North Carolina House for the next two years, marking rare assignments for the minority party in the chamber.
House Speaker Tim Moore unveiled committee leadership positions, which as usual were dominated by Republicans. The GOP holds 69 of the chamber’s 120 seats and have led the chamber since 2011.
But a judiciary committee co-chairmanship went to Democratic Rep. Billy Richardson of Fayetteville. Democratic Rep. George Graham of Robeson County will co-lead a committee on American Indian affairs, while Democratic Rep. Howard Hunter of Hertford County will co-chair the Families, Children and Aging Policy committee.