Rape Crisis Center Announces New Hire

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The city of Memphis is attempting to rescue the Rape Crisis Center. It just announced the hiring of a new manager. Dr. Betty Winter will start as the new manager for the center at the end of the month. She's a licensed professional counselor who has been with the Memphis Police department since 1990. She also spearheaded the department's "Family Trouble Center." In addition to Dr. Winter, the city is also working on hiring more nurses to deal with the staff shortage.

The staffing issues of the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center came to light about two weeks ago. That's when two teen victims had tests delayed due to staffing issues. But Deborah Clubb says she saw this coming a year ago. And since then, she says her group, the "Memphis Area Women's Council" has been trying to get the rape crisis center help.

"The city had at least a month's notice that the full-time nurse coordinator was going to leave. They had known for months that their nursing staff was shrinking," Clubb said.

Clubb speaks highly of Dr. Winter and her qualifications. But she's not so optimistic about the nurses the city is hiring.

"We are very concerned that any nurses hired [will] actually be fully certified and trained in this particular level of nursing," Clubb said.

Several city council members have also expressed concerns. But they have found it difficult to get answers.

"It's been hard to get information about what's going on. We hear more from the media than we do from the administration," Councilman Kemp Conrad said.

Despite her concerns, Clubb is thankful the city is starting to help the center. But she says it's too late for the two women.

"You can't go backwards on a rape case. You get the evidence when it's there. Or, you don't," Clubb said.

Club says the "Memphis Area Women's Council" will continue to watch the hiring of the crisis center's nurses.