The Effects of Trauma: How Sexual assault and Suicide are Connected
Learn how sexual assault and suicide are connected and how thoughts of suicide impact victims and their loved ones.
VSC Podcast Ep.1: Start by Believing
The Victim Service Center Podcast aims to normalize the dialogue of sexual violence and other social issues through housing discussions with professionals that serve victims and survivors of trauma, and those who have experienced violence. We are celebrating Start by Believing Day as well as the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month by debuting the […]
Patient Autonomy for the Survivor
by Molly Kennedy, Microbiology and Cell Science UF grad, VSC Volunteer As a pre-medical student, I have been exposed to many practices and situations in the medical field. I have also learned a great deal about patient rights and HIPAA laws. After talking to friends and family members about these topics, I learned that a […]
A Letter from Rachel
My name is Rachel, and like far too many, I am a victim and survivor of a violent crime. You may remember hearing part of my story from this video, but there is so much more to my story. 11 years ago, a stranger broke into my home. After sexually assaulting me at gunpoint, he […]
I am Proud to be a Forensic Nurse
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, some holding ice packs on their sprains, strains or possible fractures and ambulances bringing life-threatening injuries or conditions needing to be seen quickly. […]
17 Years of Healing
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 […]
PTSD and Sexual Violence
June 27 is National PTSD Awareness Day in observance of those who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can result after a single or reoccurring traumatic event. Those with PTSD may have uncharacteristic feelings of nervousness, anxiety, fear, and stress. National PTSD Awareness Day became recognized by […]
The Intersection Between Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence
The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 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 […]
A Young Girl Seeks Justice
A Young Girl Seeks Justice Written by: Erin, VSC’s SANE Coordinator I joined the VSC team as a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) a little over a year ago. My first examination was for a 12 year old girl with autism who was being sexually abused by her father. I remember feeling such sadness for […]
“Inside Out” Healing
Spring Women’s Empowerment Workshop The Internal Family When I first saw the Disney movie: Inside Out, I was amazed. The core principles of mental health, healing, and internal dialogue were perfectly captured! With all the movies these days misrepresenting what therapy is and how healing occurs, I was pleasantly surprised to see these concepts displayed […]
