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

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, the prospect of returning to stability gets more remote. How did they get here? Unfortunately, in many cases, the answer is sexual violence. The harsh reality is that a strong correlation exists between sexual violence and homelessness.

Homelessness, like so many social issues, exists in a world not colored with black and white, but filled with grey. Surely, some of those living on our streets did make decisions that removed them from a previous life of safety and security. But, what lays beneath the surface of any inspection of the reasons for homelessness, is a case study in cause and effect. From mental illness to a past of sexual abuse, a person’s social mobility can be sabotaged outside of their own control.

Follow the road of housing instability and you will find yourself at many dark intersections. The connection between sexual assault and homelessness is a gut-wrenching example. It is a driving force that rips apart a life without consideration for affect. What is so troubling is that sexual violence doesn’t just lead someone to homelessness. Often times it follows them as they go. Many people living on our streets find themselves faced with a horrifying prospect of being indefensible to the crime of sexual assault. By either perceived friend or unknown foe, they can become a victim. Without the support needed to find a safe home, they may continue to be a victim of their past.

Solutions must be found. More access to affordable housing, increased funding for trauma–informed homeless services, and collaborations between service providers, such as the local Certified Rape Crisis Center, are areas of needed improvement. These collaborations are critical to ensure the homeless receive the lifesaving services they need to heal and move forward with their lives. Without them, the cycle of victimization will see no end.