When a victim of domestic violence gets the courage to leave, the last thing they think of as they prepare to make their escape is what they will use to brush their teeth the next morning.
With that in mind, the Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence tries, as part of the services it provides, to keep a stock of hygiene products for their clients. That supply is getting low, and the advocacy organization is looking for help from the Callaway County community to replenish those stores.
Items needed include soap, razors, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, lotion, hair brushes, adult toothpaste, tampons and socks. A post on the CARDV facebook page notes that non-essential products such as makeup, nail polish and hair spray "are always enjoyed as well."
"Basically, anything hygeine-related that a victim, when they're leaving, might not be the first thing they think of," said Courtney Harrison, a crisis intervention specialist with CARDV. "We try to provide victims that flee domestic violence with those basic items."