Bridging the Gap, formerly known as Rape Response, is one of seven such sexual assaults crisis centers in Georgia getting $60,000 grants through a new state-funded program.
The money is to help pay for after-hours exams in cases of “non-fatal strangulation,” as part of a pilot program under the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
Forensics nurse Janie Steckenrider of Bridging the gap tells GPB they have until recently been doing those exams without pay over-and-above beyond the salaries they receive for work Monday-Friday. That means, she added, if anyone comes in after hours, they usually can’t get care. This grant, she said, should help close that compensation gap.