By: Lui Damiani, Executive Director Unfortunately, on a daily basis, the Victim Service Center team encounters victim blaming. One challenge we face as the voice of the victims we serve, is having individuals in our community really understand that it is NEVER the fault of a victim when a sexual assault occurs. Recently in the… Continue reading Lui’s Letter- October 2015
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A Former Client Gives Back
A Letter to the Victim Service Center August 2015 I am writing to express my sincerest gratitude to the Victim Service Center of Central Florida and most particularly, my Therapist, Theresa. I would be remiss if I did not take the time to say “Thank You!” Theresa proved to be God-sent to me during a… Continue reading A Former Client Gives Back
Serving First Responders
Written by: A VSC Victim Advocate The Victim Service Center operates the 24/7 Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline which not only serves victims, but also professionals in the community. Occasionally, we receive calls that require a Victim Advocate to provide services to both the victim and also first responders. Following a sexual assault, a victim may not… Continue reading Serving First Responders
The Secondary Victim
Written by: David Sines, The Secondary Victim No one expects to receive a phone call like this… one that instantaneously turns your world completely upside down, chews it up, then spits it back out into a million pieces. For the rest of my life I will be able to pinpoint the exact location on the… Continue reading The Secondary Victim
My Vulnerability Hangover
By: Danielle Sullivan, Sexual Assault Survivor To coin a phrase from self-professed researcher/storyteller and TedTalks sensation Brené Brown, Ph. D., I suffered a major “vulnerability hangover” yesterday. I chose to share the story of my assault with someone; the whole story including the messy parts that I usually edit out. I chose to be vulnerable… Continue reading My Vulnerability Hangover
Prison Rape Elimination Act
By: James Kenney PREA Coordinator, Osceola County Corrections The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) is the single-most important legislation directed toward the safety of inmates in the nation’s jails and prisons. The law supports the elimination, reduction and prevention of sexual assault in United States corrections facilities by developing national standards and accountability measures. … Continue reading Prison Rape Elimination Act
Law Enforcement Responding to Sexual Assaults
Law Enforcement Responding to Sexual Assaults By: Sergeant Rich Mankewich, Major Case/Sex Crimes, Orange County Sheriff’s Office For years, law enforcement officers have never been fully trained to recognize and address the psychological and emotional trauma associated with a sexual assault. During initial interviews, victims often are inconsistent, not showing emotion and unable to provide detailed information… Continue reading Law Enforcement Responding to Sexual Assaults
The Link Between Homelessness and Sexual Violence
By: Evan Smith, Communications Coordinator at the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness The person standing on the corner, sign in hand, is hoping for a few dollars. They have no home and little hope. Their life has come to a point where pride is discarded and survival takes the lead. One day to the next,… Continue reading The Link Between Homelessness and Sexual Violence
Who’s volunteering?
By: Cynthia L. Coutard Volunteer & Events Coordinator, Victim Service Center of Central Florida In the fall of 2014, something unique happened: for the first time in a decade Americans stopped volunteering. Said more optimistically, the volunteer rate across America began to decline. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service; who monitors volunteerism throughout… Continue reading Who’s volunteering?
June 2015: VSC’s Lead Advocate Discusses Sexual Assault
June 2015: VSC’s Lead Advocate Discusses Sexual Assault VSC Interview with Sarah Webb, VSC’s Lead Victim Advocate Interviewer: Can you introduce yourself? Sarah Webb: Hi, name is Sarah Webb and I’m the Lead Advocate with the Victim Service Center of Central Florida. Interviewer: What is your role at VSC? Sarah Webb: The Victim Service Center is… Continue reading June 2015: VSC’s Lead Advocate Discusses Sexual Assault