Buy a dress, fight abuse

Lending a hand to local victims of sexual assault doesn't require experience or a degree. On Saturday, Aug. 4, support can be offered by dress shopping.

The District IV Human Resources Development Council is holding a dress exchange from 11 a. m. to 2 p. m. that day to raise awareness and funds for their sexual assault and domestic violence programs.

"It's not something that you really discuss over the dinner table, " Michelle Holden, a victim advocate at HRDC, said. "It's not something that you talk about unless it happens to you or someone you know.

"So we just wanted to reach out and let people know. "

Amber Thompson, one of the event's coordinators, said that the dresses will be offered for $5, $10 or $15, depending on the condition.

Anyone who would like to contribute formal or semi-formal dresses for the exchange are encouraged to bring donations to the Domestic Abuse Program in the HRDC building on south 5th Avenue, from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. Monday through Friday.

Holden said that it was Brittany Christofferson who chose the idea, which had been done previously in Havre as a fundraiser for a Havre High School student group during prom season.