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In this Issue
- Gina Costa - New Executive Director
- Zeva Edmondson - New Program Director
- S.A.F.E. - Learn about a community collaboration between Winter Park Police Department and the Victim Service Center
- Victim Voice: A Survivor of rape tells her story (Rachel Towery) and invites you to volunteer as part of a speakers bureau or crime victim panel.
- Sexual Assault Survivor Support Group Offered
- You Can Quote Me
- Balancing the Scales
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Summary of what we do?
The Victim Service Center of Orange County, Inc. (VSC) provides comprehensive, compassionate victim-focused services to meet the needs of victims of crime,including sexual violence survivors.
Crime victim services include:
- Education on your rights as a victim
- Assistance with Victim Compensation
- Support & Advocacy
- Assistance in filing restraining orders, injunctions, and abuse petitions
- Assistance in securing rights, remidies, and services from other agencies; intervening with employers, creditors, schools
Specialized Programs:
24-Hour Sexua Assault Hotline 407.497.6701
The Hotline is always answered by a trained sexual assault counselor who can:
- Assist the caller in exploring their options;
- Provide information on available services & resources;
- Provide information on the effects of sexual violence & possible reactions;
- Provide general information on medical and legal issues.
NOTE: Services are provided to victims as well as those impacted by the victimization, such as family and friends.
Sexual Assault Treatment Center
(SATC)
- Certified as the only Sexual Assault Center serving Orange County
- Serves individuals 12 and older
- Services are available 24/7 up to 120 hours post victimization
- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) are available to profvide forensic evidence collection
- SANEs can alos provide medical intervention which includes baseline testing for STI's and referrals for medication
- Services are performed at our confidential location
- A Victim Advocate is available to provide comprehensive recovery services, including: crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning, replacement clothing.
Sexual Assault
Survivor Support Group
Available to Sexual Assault Survivors (and for their friends and family members) to provide education, support & linkage to other persons with shared experiences in order to facilitate recovery.
Therapy
Therapist are available to provide services to those that have no insurance. Contact our office for more information.
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NOTE: All services to crime victims are free and confidential
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If you are a victim of a crime, call us and talk to one of our Victim Advocates.
Call us today...
We're here to help...
407.644.2577
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Our 24-Hour Sexual Assault Hotline
407.497.6701
or
1.866.757.2046
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A Statistic . . .
In 2009, males, blacks, and people ages 24 or younger were victimized at higher rates than females, whites, and people ages 25 and older. This continues a longstanding trend. *
* Truman, Jennifer L. and Michael R. Rand. 2010. "Criminal Victimization, 2009." Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin. Washington D.C. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved May 2011 from: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv09.pdf.
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A Resource . . .
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A Safety Tip . . .
- Always try to stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
- Don't ride alone with someone you recently met.
- Have money for bus or cab fare home.
- Walk on well-lit streets; try to stay away from vacant lots, alleys and construction sites.
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Outreach Event Invitation
- National Night Out
- Where: Winter Park Police Department
- When: Tuesday August 2 (6PM to 8PM)
Click here for Flier
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Wish List
Funding for or a donation of the following:
- Colposcope
- Provide capability for our Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to take forensic photo documentation of sexual assault survivors
- Automobile for organizational / staff use
- Flat Screen television and cable hook-up
- For our Sexual Assault Treatment Center waiting area
- Network Server / Web Site Hosting
- Funding to enhance staffing for counseling / therapy services to our clients
- Medical Exam Table
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Volunteer Opportunities
Contact us at the Victim Service Center if you are interested in volunteering.
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407.644.2577 |
Get to Know Us Better
The Victim Service Center is proud to be recognized as one of the first nonprofits in Central Florida to be totally transparent.
You'll be seeing a lot about a new knowledge base established by the Community Foundation of Central Florida to help donors and philanthropists validate the organizations they support.
You can be among the first to visit and see everything from our management, governance, and programs to an in-depth look at our finances that is searchable and validated.
The Community Foundation's leadership believes this new site will allow local nonprofits more exposure to the community, new sources of funding and improved performance.
To search the knowledge base or share it with others, visit www.mycfcf.org.
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Board Members
Ex-Officio Board Member
Advisory Member
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Information to look for in the next issue - September:
- National Campus Safety Month
- National Suicide Prevention Week (September 4-10)
- National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Greetings!
The Victim Service Center will begin providing you with a monthly newsletter.
We hope you will find this letter informative and we will strive to provide you the most current information about services to victims.
Victim Service Center
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Welcome our new Executive Director
Gina Costa |
Gina Costa has been the Program Director for the Victim Service Center since October 2009 and served in that capacity until being promoted to Executive Director in May 2011.
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Gina Costa
Executive Director |
Ms. Costa has worked in the non-profit field since 1994. Prior to moving to central Florida she worked for two large non-profit community mental health and substance abuse agencies in South Florida. She worked at New Horizons of the The Treasure Coast for over 12 years, where she was Vice President of Children's Services. She also worked at Henderson Mental Health in Fort Lauderdale overseeing the Family Counseling and Outpatient Programs. Ms. Costa has a Master's Degree in Mental Health and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor as well as a Certified Addictions Professional.
A big welcome to Gina Costa in her new role as Executive Director.
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Welcome our new Program Director
Zeva Edmondson |
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Zeva Edmondson is our new Program Director for the Victim Service Center, joining us this past May.
Ms. Edmondson retired from the Orange County Sheriff's Office after twenty-six years of service as a detective and as the Accreditation Manager. In 2008, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee and served as a Captain with Vanderbilt University. While at Vanderbilt she created and supervised the Victim Services Unit among other Support Services units for the Vanderbilt Police Department. Zeva has a Master's Degree in Mental Health and has worked as a mental health counselor for the Tennessee State Prison system.
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Zeva Edmondson
Program Director |
Zeva is the former Vice President of My Father's Love, Inc. a non-profit here in Orlando, Florida. Prior to moving to
Tennessee she worked with that non-profit agency which focused on immediate needs of indigent citizens, particularly women and children.
Zeva tells us, "I look forward to working with citizens of Orange County again. The Victim Service Center is a great blend of my experience and education in the mental health and criminal justice system."
The Victim Service Center is fortunate to have Zeva as part of the team.
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S . A . F . E
A Winter Park Police Department and Victim Service Center Collaboration |
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The Women's Safety Class Team Members
Rhonda Wilson, VSC Senior Victim Advocate
Winter Park Police Department Community Services Officer, Jamie Loomis |
The Victim Service Center of Orange County in partnership with the
Winter Park Police Department is conducting Women's Safety Classes for women who work or live in the City of Winter Park.
Participants will become familiar with the "survival mind-set" and practice several techniques for avoiding potential abductive encounters perpetrated against women.
This project was funded by a grant from the Winter Park Community Foundation funds of the Community Foundation of Central Florida, Inc.
- S.A.F.E. classes are approximately 2 hours in duration and require no special equipment or attire from the participants.
- Women, ages 14 and up are welcomed.
- Classes can be conducted in private residences, churches, business locations and the police department for up to 25 participants per class.
- Classes are free of charge and can be scheduled with Officer Jamie Loomis by calling 407.599.3311.
Community Services Officer, Jamie Loomis, with Winter Park Police, relays "We have received many accolades from participants and huge support from both the business and residential community for the program. The Winter Park Police Department and the Victim Service Center have enjoyed the partnership and collaboration and are excited to bring such a worthy program to the community."
According to Victim Service Center's Senior Victim Advocate, Rhonda Wilson, "I have observed the women who have participated in the S.A.F.E. classes in Winter Park. Women are enthusiastic about learning the basics on how to defend themselves from potential abduction. Officer Loomis ensures that every woman who participates in this class learns about safety and leaves with confidence. Grandmothers, mothers and daughters have participated in the class and feels that it is beneficial for their lives".
 
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Rachel Towery - Sexual Assault Survivor - My Story
"As a sexual survivor, I know what it feels like to be stripped of everything.
Four years ago, on the eve of Valentine's Day, I came home to find that someone had broken in, and even worse was still there. He was a stranger to me, but he had been watching me for some time. He was looking for money and when he realized I didn't have anything in the house he raped me, sodomized me, and made me perform oral all while holding a gun to my head. He took my purse, all of my money, my cell phone, my car, and my sense of safety.
That night everything was taken from me.
The attendants at the crisis center were calm and compassionate. They gave me everything I needed from a tissue for my tears and a hand to hold, to a set of clean clothes to change into. It was with their gentility and patience that I first began to regain my sense of self back.
The Orlando Police department did not stop until they found him.
I will be forever grateful to all the amazing men and women that helped me through the aftermath of such a harrowing experience. Because of them, eighteen months later he was convicted of 10 felony counts carrying three life sentences and 62 consecutive years in prison.
I will never hesitate to help any way I can for all they have given me. I am involved today because each day that I can speak out and help the response teams and victims of similar events is a positive seed that weakens the crime and gives back all that was taken away.
If I had remained silent, I know he would have hurt someone again.
If I had remained silent, he may have killed them.
But most important, if I had remained silent, he would still have all the power.
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Speaking out takes away the power - from the offender and the event. It helps protect future innocents from being harmed.
I feel very lucky to be here today. I am honored to share my story.
If just a single person is helped by learning from my experience, then it was worth it."
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NOTE: We are pleased to announce that Rachel will be presenting at one of our upcoming Sexual Assault Survivor Support Group meetings. To hear more from Rachel and to participate in our Survivor Support Group meetings contact one of our Victim Advocates at 407.644.2577.
______________________________ Note: If you desire to help encourage other victims of crime or sexual violence and want to help us educate the community through a Speakers Bureau presentation, please contact us at the Victim Service Center: 407.644.2577. ________________________________ |
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Sexual Assault Survivor Support Group
Beginning Monday, October 3rd (5:30PM - 6:30PM) |
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Surviving rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, incest, and molestation may cause different feelings to emerge.
During the healing process many survivors of sexual violence undergo a dramatic reality shift, and see life and themselves drastically different than before.
Feelings of anger, fear, shock, denial, and confusion are normal.
At the Victim Service Center, we believe that breaking the silence is the first step toward recovery and it is our goal to provide a safe, warm, and thought-provoking support group for each rape and sexual abuse survivor to speak out, ask for help, and give help in return.
- Beginning October 3rd, the support group will be held every Monday
- 5:30PM - 6:30PM
- Location:
- Victim Service Center
- 1801 Lee Road,Suite 165 / Winter Park, Florida 32789
Note: This support group is for Victim Service Center clients and for their friends and family members only. Please contact us in advance due to group number availability.
For more information contact the Victim Service Center: 407.644.2577
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"The Victim Service Center is one of
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Craig Swygert
President
Clear Channel Outdoor |
those organizations that every family hopes never to need.
But when you do, our community is blessed to have such a caring and supportive organization in a time of personal tragedy and need."
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"I'm really proud and excited to be serving on the Board of Directors for the Victim Service Center.
As the supervisor of the Sex Crimes Unit, I saw first hand the impact the VSC can have on the lives of survivors of a sexual assault.
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Arthur Eld, III
Lieutenant
North Patrol Watch Commander
The Orlando Police Department |
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANES) and the Victim Advocates are well trained and very professional.
The VSC has become a great partner to Law Enforcement playing an integral part in the judicial process from the initial call through the prosecution of the offender."
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Balancing the Scales
Annual Fund-Giving
Helping to Help Others... |
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Help support the ongoing annual programming, operations, and administrative costs associated with delivery of services to victims of crime.
By providing your financial support, you are helping to balance the scales to victims of crime.
Your dollars will help support victim-focused client-service delivery components: case management, crisis-counseling, therapy, and community outreach, education, and awareness activities.
In Fiscal Year 2009-2010, the Victim Service Center served 1,940 crime victims. Of this number, 976 clients were victims of sexual violence. This number includes both females and males who requested services because of childhood sexual assault, adult sexual assault, or were adults who were molested as children.
Ways to Donate:
- Stop by the Victim Service Center with cash or check.
- Mail your gift via U.S. mail or other mail delivery services to: 1801 Lee Road, Suite 165 / Winter Park, Florida 32789
- Make Checks Payable to: Victim Service Center
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VICTIM SERVICE CENTER OF ORANGE COUNTY IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS #CH18390. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Your gift is tax deductible as allowed by law; the Victim Service Center is registered with the state under the Solicitation of Contributions Act, 1992, under Federal Tax Identification Number: 75-2978885.
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Contact us:
We're here to help . . .
. . . here to help you.
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Victim Service Center of Orange County, Inc.
1801 Lee Road, Suite 165
Winter Park, Florida 32789
407.644.2577
Hours: M - F 8AM - 5PM
24-Hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 407.497.6701 / 1.866.757.2046
Mission:
The Victim Service Center of Orange County, Inc. (VSC) provides comprehensive, compassionate victim-focused services to meet the needs of victims of crime,including sexual violence survivors.
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