Treating Victims of Sexual Assault

I was pleased to read that Northridge Hospital Medical Center will continue to treat victims of sexual assault until the Mission Community Hospital Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is up and running (“Sexual Abuse Center Will Be No Cure-All,” Aug. 25). I’m sure that Dr. [Ed] Lowder would agree that we should expand services to victims of sexual assault in the San Fernando Valley beyond those he provides. His distinguished record of service indicates he puts the interests of his patients ahead of his personal aggrandizement or enrichment.

I’m equally certain that there are enough caring and concerned people in medicine, law enforcement and psychology to commit themselves to the development and implementation of Mission’s SART.

I wish Lowder and Northridge Hospital well, but the unfortunate truth is that the Valley needs more than one place to treat victims of sexual assault.

RICHARD KATZ

Assembly Democratic Leader