MSP Troopers Statewide are Raising Awareness for Victims of Sexual Assault
MSP Calumet post is joining their brothers and sisters around the state to raise awareness for sexual assault. The Purses with a Purpose campaign began in 2019 at MSP’s Caddilac post. Since then, it’s become a statewide effort. Trooper Brian Poyhonen said collection boxes for new and lightly used purses are set up throughout the Copper Country.
“Stuff like notebooks and pens, different hygiene products, candy, hand sanitizer, socks. Something , that if a woman has to be in a shelter for an extended period of time. She has some basic needs met. If people are willing to donate items, then we are collecting through April 30th.” – Trooper Brian Poyhonen, MSP Calumet Post
The subject is a hard to talk about, which is why many sexual assaults go unreported. Trooper Poyhonen said he hopes a campaign like this can help survivors of sexual assault who might be struggling. It’s also important to note that there are already a number resources for S.A. survivors.
“Yeah, Dial Help in Houghton is a huge resource for victims of any situation, including sexual assault. They have people on hand there 24 hours a day that are willing to speak with victims. And to help them through these experiences that they’ve been going through. It’s a hard topic to talk about, but if you have a friend that you know may have been involved in a sexual assault. And it is obviously affecting them in a traumatic way, talking about it is the first step.” – Trooper Brian Poyhonen, MSP Calumet Post
Drop off purses, toiletries and comfort items at the Calumet Post, Houghton and Baraga County Sheriff offices, Dial Help and Unite Mental Health and Wellness all month. Troopers will collect all donations on April 30th. Other items the state police are asking for include;
Lightly used or new purses, clothing like sweatpants or sweatshirts, t-shirts, sports bras, socks, coloring books, notebooks, pencils, hygiene products like lotions and hand creams, lip balm, soap, shampoo, hand sanitizer, tooth paste and toothbrushes, and feminine hygiene products.
Copper Country drop of locations: (Those in the Marquette area can make donation drop offs at the MSP Negaunee Post, 180 US-41, Negaunee, MI 49866.)
MSP Calumet Post – 55195 Hwy US-41, Calumet, MI 49913
Houghton County Sheriff – 403 E. Houghton Ave. Houghton, MI, 49931
Baraga County Sheriff – 940 Hwy US-41 L’Anse, MI 49946
Unite Mental Health and Wellness – 1014 College Ave, Houghton, MI, 49931
Dial Help – 609 Sheldon Ave, Houghton, MI 49931
Other resources to S.A. victims in the western Upper Peninsula are Dial Help, Unite Mental Health and Wellness, the Barbara Kettle Gundluch Shelter Home, Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being at Michigan Tech (MTU Students only), Dial Help provides services to Finlandia University students, Copper Country Mental Health, and Upper Peninsula Human Trafficking Task Force