“Being a survivor is about learning to cope. I am a survivor because I am still here. It is hard to be a survivor. I put so much effort into it and people. You need to have some sort of passion in life. I have a passion to live.”  ~ Ally, a survivor

As described on ecpact.org, Ally was sexually exploited by a man she met online in Canada. At that time, she was struggling with family issues and her identity. Like many teenagers, she looked for support and attention online. She met a man online that gave her the attention she craved. Eventually, they met in person, and he sexually assaulted her. He blackmailed her to keep her silence. The shame of the secret led to depression which led her to abuse drugs.  Ally is just one instance of online grooming. Ecpat.org

What is grooming?

Grooming is an intentional act of an adult to befriend a child, establish an emotional connection and find a child’s insecurities. The perpetrator uses grooming tactics such as attention, validation, unconditional regard to build a child’s trust and create opportunities to perpetrate abuse. Predators have weaved their way into the online universe by contacting children through video game chats as another child or a respectable adult. They offer support and validation that is missing in that child’s life.

According to Childnet.com, online grooming consists of social media, video games, and private chats. Predators use fake accounts, names, and photos to befriend the child. They appear as another child, modeling agent, a scout, sports coach, or famous influencer that pretend to have the same interests to build trust and establish a friendship. Online predators are indifferent to race, ethnicity, or gender- any child is in danger. Some children may be more susceptible due to other vulnerabilities such as special educational needs disability. They have difficulty in learning and communication skills.

After the trust is gained, they direct the conversation towards sexual experiences by asking to share naked photos or videos. Some predators may set up a location to meet. These predators eventually manipulate, blackmail, and control the child. Also known as sextortion, instead of money, they demand more photos or videos. An article on THORN.org, predators use photos and videos as leverage. If the child does not comply, they threaten to share it family and friends thus creating shame and isolation in children. As a result, the child begins to isolate themselves from friends and family. It is important to remember that online groomers are not always strangers. They could be family friends or someone they have met at a social gathering, and they use online to build rapport.

The National Center for Educational Statistics found children spend 50% more on-screen time due to the pandemic and school closures.

Along with an increase of time being spent online, Children are also participating in sexting.

THORN’s article states that self-generated child sexual abuse material (SG-CSAM), is rapidly growing to exploit children. A consensual or coercive naked photo taken by the child is sent to a known individual known as “sexting” or “sharing nudes.” In the future, these photos can be used by offenders to groom other children. Sexting gives the predator control over photos/videos sent. The predator may share those photos with other people or use it to blackmail the victim. According to the study, adolescents think sharing nudes is a form of sexual exploration and flirting. About 40%, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys, find it normal to share nudes.

The most popular image/video sharing platforms are Instagram (56%) and Snapchat (55%). On Snapchat, 70% have shared their photos, and 69% have seen others. And 54% have shared other’s photos. On Instagram, 66% share, and 67% seen others. Online predators groom a child by making an emotional connection. Afterward, they begin sexual conversations, and it leads to sexting which is sending naked photos.

How can we spot online grooming?

With children being online more it can be difficult to know what is happening in the virtual world. These red flags may not mean that a child is experiencing online grooming however they could be indicators to check in and have a conversation. According to the article, Grooming: What parent should know and what schools should do if they suspect it. The typical red flags for parents to pay attention to:

• Wanting to spend more time on the internet

• Being secretive about who they are talking to online, and websites visited.

• Switching screens

• Noticing new items that have not been given by you, a friend, or a family member

• Using sexual language that is not age-appropriate

• Expressing hostile or volatile behavior

How can we protect children from online grooming?

Parents/caregivers need to teach children about online predators. Starting the conversation at a young age leaves the children equipped to feel safe to talk to someone if situation as such arises. Children at an early age need guidance on body boundaries and consent to prevent falling for the predators’ devious tricks of sharing nude photos. It is essential for parents, caregivers, and teachers to begin a conversation to prevent future harm. A great resource by Michigan State University called, “Preventing Grooming by Child Sexual Predators,” provides great information on opportunities to speak with children about predators. For example:

1. Talk About Secrets
2. Keeping secrets can be harmful. A responsible adult will not ask a child to keep a secret for their parents. Children must know that they will not get in trouble if they tell you a conversation they had with another adult and they asked the child to keep a secret. Children should know that parents/caregivers will support them no matter what.
3. Listen, Listen, and Listen Some More
4. Listen carefully to the child. It shows that you love, value, and respect them. Communicate by giving them your full attention. Listen without judgment. Children are likely to share more information if they know they will not be judged, disrespected or punished.
5. Teach Children to be Assertive
6. Respectfully encourage children to voice their opinions about likes and dislikes; this will help them stand up for themselves and feel empowered. Children may not feel empowered when an adult puts them in an unsafe situation. Children need to know that it is ok to say “NO” to adults. The word “NO” is a complete sentence and puts a boundary in place.
7. Teach Children consent
8. Consent is giving someone permission to do a certain activity or for something to happen. Such as, when you go to the doctor, you give consent for the doctor to perform a certain procedure. Also, in relationships each individual has to give or deny consent. Consent is freely given; it should be clear and specific. A person has the right to deny consent or change their mind if the situation seems unsafe.
9. Consent can be modeled at home by asking your children to touch, hug, or kiss them, and respecting their wishes if they say, “no.” This teaches children personal boundaries.
10. Talk About Consent and Relationships
11. Talk to children at an early age about consent and respect in romantic relationships. Talking to them openly encourages them to come talk to you when they are concerned or confused when something happens to them, and they feel unsure.

The goal is to keep children safe and to be actively involved. The key is to be vigilant and prepared to protect children and help them build skill necessary that will help keep them safe from in person and online predator. More great tips on: https://www.canr.msu.edu/creating-safe-environments/uploads/files/Final%20-%20Preventing%20Grooming.pdf

Unfortunately, just like with any risk reduction we cannot make sure children are and will be safe 100% of the time. However, early conversations, support, and trust can prevent online grooming and if something does happen, children will know who to reach out for help.

Resources:

TO REPORT CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, OBSCENITY, OR TO REPORT A CYBERCRIME: www.cybertipline.com
Or call: 1-800-THE-LOST (provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children). The congressionally mandated CyberTipline is a reporting mechanism for cases of child sexual exploitation including child pornography, online enticement of children for sex acts, molestation of children outside the family, sex tourism of children, child victims of prostitution, and unsolicited obscene material sent to a child. Reports may be made 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Online Resource:

Darkness to light

Missingkids.org

Stopsextortion.com tips and resources to protect yourself and loved ones before it starts.

Riverbridgerc.org:

In these 10 episodes Meghan Hurley Backofen provides caregivers with 10 Tips for Sexual Abuse Prevention. She discusses much of the misinformation caregivers have that put children at greater risk for sexual abuse trauma. She also identifies what children need to know to be a “least likely” victim. This class is based on her work with sexual abuse survivors and extensive knowledge of sexual abuse victimization. Caregivers will feel empowered after learning specific strategies in how to talk with children about this difficult topic and how to respond if sexual abuse is suspected. This podcast is an excellent resource for parents who want to share Meghan’s book “Who’s the Boss of this Body” with their child.

Podcast:

On audible

What grooming looks like and how to cope afterwards by Emma Cantrell

[The respect room] Preventing Sexual Grooming Part 1

BBC Radio: File on 4: Online Grooming

Books for parents:

Mia’s Secret: story of a young girl groomed by her mom’s friend

MOSAC: Book What do I do now? MOSAC published a comprehensive guide for mothers of sexually abused children. It is an important resource for professionals to offer to moms and family members of sexually abused children. Amazon link below. Also available at Apple and book source.

Shefali Tsabary: renown parent expert and author. “The conscious parent”

Speaker: Resurrection Graves is child sexual abuse expert.

She is available for radio, T. v. and speaking engagements at

Resurrection.wordpress@yahoo.com or 202-717-7377

November 11 is Veterans Day, a day in which we honor the brave men and women who have served our country through military service.

Every year, thousands of men and women across the country make the decision to join the military. There may be a multitude of reasons driving this decision. Many feel a calling to serve their country and be part of something larger than themselves. Others are motivated by the numerous opportunities afforded by the military, such as education benefits and job training. Some are drawn to the possibility of adventure – a way to see the world beyond the parameters of the communities where they grew up.

Regardless of the motivation to join, no one anticipates experiencing sexual trauma while serving our country.

Unfortunately, one in four women and one in one-hundred men report to their Veteran Affairs (VA) health care providers that they have experienced military sexual trauma.

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is a term used by the VA to refer to sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment that occurred while someone was serving our country. In the Central Florida area alone, there are nearly 4,000 men and women who have reported MST to their VA healthcare providers. We also know that there are many others who have not yet come forward.

MST can affect one’s physical and mental health for years afterwards. Common effects include unwanted memories, distress related to reminders of the trauma, anxiety, depression, a sense of always being “on guard,” difficulties with trusting others, and problems in relationships.

Fortunately, people can recover from experiences of MST. The VA is committed to ensuring that veterans who are survivors of MST have access to the help they need to recover.

Treatment for physical and mental health conditions related to MST is available at every VA facility and provided at no-cost. Veterans may be able to receive these services even if they are not eligible for other VA services. They do no need to be service connected or receive VA disability compensation. Also, it does not matter how much time has passed since the trauma or whether they reported the trauma to authorities (as the VA recognizes that many individuals do not report sexual trauma).

For more information, veterans can speak with their existing VA health care provider or present to the enrollment department at the nearest VA facility to start the process of getting connected to services. In addition, each VA Medical Center has a designated MST Coordinator who can provide information on MST related services and help veterans get connected.

I am happy to serve as MST Coordinator for the Orlando VA Medical Center and surrounding outpatient clinics, including facilities at Lake Nona, Lake Baldwin, Crossroads, Clermont, Deltona, Kissimmee, Tavares, Viera, and Daytona. I can be reached at 407-646-5500, extension 28442.

Veterans can also learn more about VA’s MST-related services online at www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome.asp

If you served our country and are a survivor of MST, please understand that you are not alone. We understand that it can be difficult to reach out for help. When you are ready, the VA is committed to help you in your journey of recovery.

Ashley Arens, Ph.D., ABPP

Clinical Psychologist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUVtdMqXB3w&t=244s

11 years ago, a stranger broke into my home. After sexually assaulting me at gunpoint, he took me to an ATM where he robbed me of every penny I had. It was the scariest, and most traumatizing, thing I have ever experienced.

As someone who has experienced the court process firsthand, I can tell you a victim’s suffering does not end with the attack. Rather, it continues as we navigate a complicated system which works for the criminal, but not the victim.

I’ve been a supporter of Amendment 6, Marsy’s Law for Florida, since it was first introduced because I believe victims and their families should have the same exact rights and protections as those accused or convicted of a crime.

I believe these rights and protections should exist in the state’s most powerful legal document so there is no question as to what rights victims are entitled to and whether or not they are enforced.

What is in the constitution right now is not enough –

• It is ambiguous and leaves too much up for interpretation.
• Statutes can easily be changed from one legislative session to another.
• The accused have specific protections outlined in the U.S. Constitution, crime victims only receive a single vague sentence in our state constitution with no real means of enforcement.

Amendment 6 presents an opportunity to strengthen these laws, by:

• Ensuring crime victims, or their families in the event of a tragic loss of life, are afforded similar constitutional protections to the accused.
• The rights of the accused would not change or weaken, however, the two parties will finally be considered equal in the eyes of the law.

This means everything to crime victims. We deserve to be seen as those with real emotions who went through a painful ordeal we did not ask for, rather than simply evidence in the case.

My story would have been different had Marsy’s Law been in place.

By acting as his own counsel, my attacker was afforded access to all of my personal information as well as those of my witnesses. He not only stole my identity but made harassing phone calls to me and my witnesses from jail, in the attempts of scaring us out of testifying against him. There was nothing anyone could do – the state attorney and sheriff’s departments’ hands were tied. As wonderful as they were in handling my case, they were only as strong as the law allowed them to be and that meant his right to identify his accuser trumped my right to privacy and to be free from intimidation.

Marsy’s Law would also provide crime victims with a voice, which is something I wish I had in the court process. After all, I certainly didn’t have a say in being attacked, so shouldn’t I at least have one in deciding what happens?

My attacker was originally given four consecutive life sentences given the violent nature of his crime. Recently, though, his sentence was reduced to just 50 years, and he will now be eligible for parole one day.

I was not notified when he was appealing to the Supreme Court. I was not asked if scheduling the re-sentencing hearing on my birthday was a convenient day for me. And my input was not taken into consideration at the hearing, even though the court’s decision directly impacted my safety and the safety of others.

Crime victims all across the state have similar stories. All we are asking for are the same rights given to criminals, nothing more and nothing less.

Crime victims deserve to be protected under our state’s most powerful legal document, just as a person accused of a crime does. Amendment 6 would provide Florida crime victims with many fair, common-sense protections, but there are a few things this law would NOT do.

This law does not guarantee outcomes. It does not interfere with prosecutorial discretion. It does not add a burden to the system. And, it does not infringe upon the numerous protections afforded to those accused or convicted of a crime.

What my attacker did to me was horrific, but I certainly do not believe my rights should outweigh his.

All I want is to be viewed as an equal party, to know that I have a voice, and that my voice matters.

I implore you to remember my story and stand up for past, present, and future crime victims when you go to vote this election season.

Imagine sitting in the crowded waiting room of the local hospital’s Emergency Department .  Around the room you see children with fever or crying of pain, others with lacerations needing to be sutured, 

You, however, are there because you have been sexually assaulted.  You may not have any outwardly visible trauma as you wait for an exam which will take a long time to complete, so others are taken for treatment before you.   

This was the case in the Emergency Department where I worked in the late 80‘s – early 90‘s when I first became interested in Forensics and the specialty of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners.  The Emergency Department physicians and nurses accompanying them were reluctant to begin an exam which they knew would be very time-consuming, often taking them away from other patients for more than an hour, and because they did not do sexual assault exams that often,they were unfamiliar with the process.  Having to testify in court was another issue. 

 We  know that the physical trauma and the mental trauma can be devastating to a victim of sexual assault so these patients need compassionate care in a timely manner not only for their well being but also for effective evidence collection. Enter the Specialty of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.  The SANE is there for one patient; the victim of the assault.  The SANE is an RN with advanced training in sexual assault, evidence collection, packaging, and maintaing the chain of evidence.  Additionally there is a Board Certification that is administered by the International Association of Forensic Nursing that validates, through extensive testing, the knowledge and proficiency of the nurse examiner and designates the nurse as a SANE-A ; an experienced nurse in the examination of adults and adolescents. 

The SANE together with the Victim Advocate in a secure location with the equipment and supplies needed, are able to  provide the patient the confidential,  compassionate, timely exam in a quiet, comforting environment. Although this is only the beginning of a long road of healing for the victim, the SANE strives to ease the fear and anxiety in the initial medical and physical exam phase of this process to help give control back to the patient. 

I am proud to be a Forensic nurse; a SANE-A. 

Judy Bednar, RN, MSN, SANE-A

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) report of 2013, indicated 108,030 domestic violence incidents were reported in Florida. Additional data suggests, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. Furthermore, when considering SV and DV victimization, between 14% and 25% of women are sexually assaulted by intimate partners during their relationship. (NCADV, 2015)

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Statistics, specifically the report for Osceola County; in 2017, there was an incident rate of 1,941 Domestic Violence cases and an approximate of 144 Sexual Assault related offenses. (FDLE, 2017)

Due to the reported incidents and recurrent concern from community leaders, agencies and individuals, VSC partnered with a group of professionals to provide information related on DV and SV awareness. Most recently, in 2017, a group of Hispanics including Puerto Ricans were impacted by a natural disaster that influenced the need of seeking shelter in the state of Florida. As a result, numerous individuals including men, women, elderly and children have been temporarily residing in local hotels. Some community concerns have developed including: financial hardship, homelessness, fatal and non-fatal cases related to domestic violence, and other crimes. Ultimately, distressing the functionality and mental health of the Puerto Rican families.

One of the most significant points discussed was the importance of Roles and Ethical implications when witnessing a crime or supporting a survivor. VSC Advocates informed community leaders on the various responders that can assist in the event of a crime or crisis including: Law Enforcement, Victim Advocates, Crisis Counselors, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), EMT’s, Fire Fighters and other agencies that may support further needs of victims. As social science professionals, is imperative to highlight the roles of specialized teams and community leaders. Thus, an open communication was developed in the importance to understand limitations and strengths, displayed by individuals, in the event of working a crisis. Some guidelines were exposed such as: trauma focused professional intervention, ethical code for social science practice, mandatory reporting, vicarious disorder, secondary victimization and awareness of community resources.

VSC Advocates offered the following information and strategies:

• Definition: What is a Crisis?
• Learning how to identify indicators present in crisis situation.
• CRISIS Intervention strategies: assessment of a situation, things to consider when approaching a victim-survivor, Proactive verbal intervention towards a victim (tone, volume, and language) and body language awareness.
• Physical and Emotional Common Reactions to Victimization
• Victimization in a different culture
• Empowerment skills: Appropriate approach to be conducted in a crisis situation (verbal phrases, validation of emotions and victim emotional regulation to assess needs. In the effort to empower a victim-survivor.
• Safety tips and planning (injunction process & reporting to LE)
• Types of Victims, Victims’ rights, and Mandatory Reporting
• Community Resources: Response from Agencies when working with DV & SV incidents, Information and contacts of services in the event of a crisis.
• Role & Ethical implications

 If you or a loved one is experiencing consequences associated with being a Victim of a Crime, reach out to Victim Service Center through our 24/7 Crisis Helpline (407) 500 – HEAL. You can also reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or through their online chat.

At VSC we care for Victims, contact us, we would love to be part of your healing process!

ROSA M. ABRAHAM, MS | Victim Advocate & Crisis Counselor

References:

Domestic Violence national statistics (2015). Retrieved from www.ncadv.org

Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Florida Uniform Crime Report (2017) Retrieved from www.fdle.state.fl.us

In 1996, the Board of County Commissioners agreed that a portion of the jails’ proceeds needed to be allocated to recovery services for crime survivors in the community and decided to allocate the funding from payphones in the jail to create a support agency. Commissioner Mary Johnson helped lead the charge for victims’ rights and the need for community services. By 1999 the Victim Service Center had opened its doors in the heart of downtown Orlando and was ready to help victims on their journey to healing.

In 2001, the Victim Service Center was incorporated as a nonprofit organization and became Victim Service Center of Orange County, Inc. That same year we opened the Sexual Assault Treatment Center (SATC), providing forensic examinations and medical intervention to sexual assault survivors. VSC ultimately became the only certified rape crisis program in Orange County through the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV) just four years later in 2005.

2012 was a big year for for VSC; we became the Victim Service Center of Central Florida, Inc., moved to our current home on Michigan Street, and expanded to Osceola County offering all of our same services out of the Care Center. We also expanded our client offerings to include a full-time in-house therapy program to help clients dive deeper into their healing.

In the summer of 2014, VSC developed partnerships with the local detention centers in Orange and Osceola County to provide inmates with access to VSC’s sexual assault helpline directly. This effort assisted the detention centers in meeting the Prison Rape elimination Act requirements and allowed inmates who have experienced sexual assault while in detention the opportunity to speak with experienced Victim Advocates trained in the area of sexual violence and crisis intervention. In January 2015, VSC was contracted to provide in-person Sexual Trauma Services at the Orange County Detention Center. Services include Education and Awareness groups as well as individual and group Therapy aimed to assist female inmates with addressing emotional issues resulting from sexual trauma.  The program offers the opportunity for the participants to identify and replace dysfunctional coping patterns with appropriate coping skills, which is essential for long-term change and recovery to occur.

In 2016, we proudly expanded with a third office in Longwood to serve Seminole County, further extending our reach and providing services to more victims in need.

In order to keep up with our growth we actively began  fundraising to enhance our opportunities as a center with our first event at the Orlando Science Center in 2007 and later moved to the Mennello Museum of Art where we officially launched our signature event, Cheers to Change. [Some might remember our Executive Director, Lui, hanging signs off the edge of the museum.] Now five years later, Cheers to Change has grown into a highly anticipated 400+ person event, which is in large part due to our loyal and generous supporters who came out to make a difference in the lives of victims in our community.  Thank you for always making joining us at Cheers to Change a priority year after year.

Outreach and prevention has always been part of our work, but in 2015 we officially launched an education training program. We offer training’s on bullying as well as sexual harassment and assault to organizations and businesses. Our anti-bullying youth focused trainings cover the understanding that while it is never okay to bully another individual often times the bully is also being bullied. Our educators discuss how to stand up and be an active bystander for someone in these situations with direct, distract, and delegation options. Recently, we have been having a lot of conversation around our healthy relationship trainings, which can be adapted for any age where the conversation revolves around boundaries, trust, and consent.

With such a strong seventeen year history you might ask what could be next for VSC? While we have grown as an organization, there is still so much work to be done to help victims and spread the message of prevention. Nationally, according to RAINN, every 98 seconds another individual experiences sexual assault, and out of those, two out of three will go unreported. It is our responsibility as an organization, and as a community to help bring healing to those individuals by letting them know it is safe to seek help. With your help we can continue to bring healing to those who need it most.

Written by: Orialis, VSC Crisis Counselor

Many victims are in an intimate relationship with their abuser. Sexual assault and domestic violence exist within the scope of oppression. It is how a perpetrator abuses power and control over a victim. A perpetrator can use a variety of violent and non-violent methods to take away a victim’s agency. These may include: violence, intimidation, emotional abuse, controlling money, making the victim feel like they are “crazy”, and sexual assault. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) reports that about 15-25% of women are sexually assaulted by an intimate partner. Sexual violence is another way of controlling and taking away a person’s agency. Although some domestic violence victims have outward signs of abuse, many suffer abuse in other ways.

Sometimes the wounds of domestic and sexual violence are invisible. Victims of intimate partner violence are at a high risk for depression and anxiety. Ninety-four percent of women who are raped experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the two weeks following the rape, and one third contemplate suicide.

One particularly dangerous aspect of domestic violence is the isolation that results from the victimization. As a way to control the victim, an abuser may not let the victim remain in contact with their friends or family. In some cases, the victim doesn’t even realize they have been isolated.

In my experience as a crisis counselor, many of my clients have stated that they didn’t seek help sooner because they were scared. Imagine that the person that is supposed to love and care for you is also the person hurting you the most. It can be a huge feat to trust others following this type of betrayal. When a victim fears that they will not be believed or if they are isolated from resources, they may be less likely to seek support. Many of my clients have been dealing with this silently for years before feeling safe enough to ask for help.

Oftentimes, our society does not believe that an individual can be a victim of sexual violence by their spouse or partner. As long as we continue this narrative and do not acknowledge the sexual violence between partners, we dismiss a huge portion of survivors. The link between sexual violence and domestic violence in undeniable.

For survivors, you are worthy.  You are worth of understanding, empathy, and kindness. At the Victim Service Center, we are here to believe you and to help you. We want to walk alongside you through your journey. To make an appointment, please call 407-254-9415. If you need to speak with our crisis counselor, please call 407-500-HEAL.

Written by: Katherine Olsen, VSC’s Social Justice Intern

Continuity of Care (COC) is a common concept in the medical and mental health fields and is considered a central goal in both arenas.  Although definitions vary, COC can be broadly described as health care events that are experienced as coherent and consistent with the user’s needs.  Research reveals two significant components of COC:  informational continuity and relational continuity.  Informational continuity refers to the flow of adequate information from professionals to service users, while relational continuity refers to the consistency of mental health and medical staffing and the quality of relationships between the staff and service users.

Vertical advocacy is a fairly new concept in the field of sexual assault advocacy and is directly related to COC.  Vertical advocacy refers to the process when a victim’s advocate is responsible for responding to the sexual assault survivor’s needs from start to finish.  This process is in contrast to non-vertical advocacy that involves a hands-off process between advocates who serve various functions.  The benefit of vertical advocacy is that it incorporates both informational continuity and relational continuity by helping the sexual assault survivor to avoid any unnecessary trauma and disruption while building a trusting relationship between the survivor, the advocate, and the advocacy organization.   While 100% vertical advocacy is difficult to achieve, best care practice for sexual assault advocacy works to maintain vertical advocacy to the greatest extent possible.

Research pertaining to continuity of care and vertical advocacy indicates that the Victim Service Center of Central Florida can be considered a model for best care practice in sexual assault advocacy.   The VSC strives for vertical advocacy and the corresponding COC components of informational and relational continuity by maintaining advocate continuity between the hotline, forensic exam, and case management.   In addition, COC is promoted through informational continuity in the SART protocols of the associated counties of the VSC and by hiring master-level victim advocates with extensive training and skills to prevent turnover and promote relational continuity.   The practices of the VSC promote the victim’s quality of life, empowerment, ability to function within the community and satisfaction with care services.

References:

Adnanes, M., & Steihaug, S. (2013). Obstacles to continuity of care in young mental health service users’ pathways – an explorative study. International Journal of Integrated Care, 13, International Journal of Integrated Care, 2013 Jul-Sep, Vol.13.

Lonsway, K.A., & Archambault, J. (2013, January). Effective victim advocacy in the criminal justice system: a training course for victim advocates.  Retrieved from http://www.evawintl.org/Library/DocumentLibraryHandler.ashx?id=32

McDougall, G., Gordon, A., Joyce, A., Adair, C., Wild, T., Kowalsky, L., . . . Barnes, F. (2004). Continuity of care in mental health services: Toward clarifying the construct. Canadian           Journal of Psychiatry, 49(8), 539-50.

Sweeney, A., Rose, D., Clement, S., Jichi, F., Jones, I., Burns, T., . . . Wykes, T. (2012). Understanding service user-defined continuity of care and its relationship to health and    social   measures: A cross-sectional study. Bmc Health Services Research, 12, Bmc     Health Services Research, 2012 Jun 8, Vol.12.

Written by: Katherine Olsen, a 2^nd year graduate student pursuing a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, worked with the Victim Service Center (VSC) of Central Florida during the summer of 2015 as part of 100 required hours for a program-related social justice pre-practicum.  This social justice pre-practicum component is designed to introduce graduate counseling students to professional social justice advocacy roles through service learning in community organizations and agencies.  In conjunction with her role at the VSC, Katherine spent the majority of her time researching best care advocacy practices for victims of trauma, particularly women who are survivors of sexual assault.  Her research revealed that best care practices for victims of sexual assault revolve around the two key, interrelated concepts of continuity of care and vertical advocacy.