SEMO-NASV opens new satellite office in New Madrid to assist more survivors

JACKSON, Mo. – Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence, or SEMO-NASV, is opening a new satellite office in New Madrid, Missouri, to provide additional access to survivors and their families in Southeast Missouri.

“One of the biggest challenges we face in serving survivors is access to our facility” said Kendra Eads, executive director of SEMO-NASV. “Survivors may have to drive up to two hours to have their forensic interview and exam completed at our main office and then spend another two hours getting home. Including the time to complete their services, that is a full day of facing their trauma which can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining. A satellite office in the southern part of our service region will lessen the financial and travel burden of survivors and their families.”

Patty Moody, New Madrid County Prosecutor’s Victim Advocate, knows the importance of having sexual violence resources for survivors in southeast Missouri.

“Having a SEMO-NASV location that is closer to survivors in their rural communities, will make it that much easier for them to receive everything they need to start the healing process, and in many cases, receive the justice they deserve.”

This new satellite office will offer all the same services as SEMO-NASV’s main office located in Jackson. Survivors and their families will be able to receive forensic interviews, forensic exams, and victim advocacy on designated days. SEMO-NASV’s southern region therapist, Cindy Burlingame, will use the space to see clients for counseling services on the days forensic services are not provided. This new satellite office will be staffed a few days a week and all appointments will be pre-scheduled. After-hours appointments will be handled at the main office or satellite location, depending on what’s best for the survivor.

“We are so pleased that sexual assault survivors in southeast Missouri will have one less barrier to receiving the trauma-informed care they deserve,” said Eads. “This will also ease some of the travel burden on our multidisciplinary team members involved with the forensic interview.”

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Members may include members of Law Enforcement, Children’s Division workers, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Juvenile Officers, and Advocates. The purpose of MDT involvement for all interviews is to assure that the unique needs of survivors are recognized and met, and that informed decision-making occurs at all stages of the investigation, so survivors and families benefit from a coordinated response.

An open house will be from noon to 1 p.m. April 28 at the new satellite office, 417 Mott St, New Madrid. Tours of the space and light refreshments will be served.

SEMO-NASV offers care to children and adults throughout nine counties in southeast Missouri who have experienced sexual violence or child physical abuse. Anyone who is experiencing sexual violence, should call SEMO-NASV’s 24-hour crisis hotline at (877) 820-6278.