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Donated Car to the Victim Service Center from Orange Count y Sheriff
We want to thank Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings for donating a vehicle through their excess property transfer program that will help our Victim Advocates transport their clients who have been a victim of a crime or sexually assaulted. The car will also come in handy enabling our staff to transport our outreach event collaterals, tables, and tent. This is a tremendous addition to the Victim Service Center in helping the clients we serve.
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Victim Advocates and Office Manager extending a Big THANK YOU to
Orange County Sheriff's Office for donating a car to transport clients and participate in outreach activities.
[From left to right: Antonia, Laura, Aleea, Liz, Taryn, Sarah] |
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Victim Service Center
Participates in Veterans' Stand Down
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Victim Advocate, Aleea Shaw providing resources to attendees at 4th Annual Veterans' Stand Down outreach event in Downtown Orlando. |
Standing Together for Veterans who are Homeless
The VSC was invited to participate in the 4th Annual Veterans' Stand Down in Downtown Orlando (Recreation Center) on September 24, 2011, hosted by the Orlando VA Medical Center and Homeless Services Network of Central Florida. Community service organizations were present to help provide services to homeless veterans and their families attending the event. Some of the services or information available to attendees: vocational services, shelter information, clothing, medical care, haircuts, VA benefits, dental screen, showers, food, and victims of crime and sexual assault resource and referral information. 350 attendees were anticipated to have attended this event.
Note to Veterans: If you are a victim of a crime or of sexual assault, please contact us at the Victim Service Center for assistance. Our Advocates are standing by to assist you - call 407.644.2577.
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And if you would like the Victim Service Center to be involved in one of your community outreach events or if have a suggestion for us to collaborate with others in our outreach activities, please ask to speak with Zeva Edmondson, Program Director (407.644.2577). |
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October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Bullying can be verbal, physical, or via the Internet. It can severely affect the victim's self-image, social interactions, and school performance - often leading to insecurity, lack of self-esteem, and depression in adulthood. School dropout rates and absences among victims of bullying are much higher than among other students.
Studies have shown that children who have been identified as a bully by age eight are six times more likely to have a criminal conviction by age 24. Children who are bullies may continue to be bullies as adults, and are more prone to becoming child and spouse abusers.
Copied from National Child
Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) website.
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If you, or someone you know is a victim of bullying, please call the Victim Service Center at 407.644.2577 and speak with one of our Advocates.
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Contact the Victim Service Center if you need a speaker to talk about this topic or any of our services provided through the Victim Service Center.
To learn more or to request a presentation by the Victim Service Center, please contact our Program Director, Zeva Edmondson at Zeva.Edmondson@ocfl.net or 407.644.2577. |
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(Month of October)
National Domestic
Violence Awareness Month
Article Focus: Inimate Partner Rape
Marital rape is a serious form of domestic violence that can have life-shattering effects for its victims.
Marital rape occurs when your spouse forces you to take part in certain sex acts without your consent. It is a form of intimate partner violence, i.e., an abuse of power by which one spouse attempts to establish dominance and control over the other. Research shows that it can be equally, if not more, emotionally and physically traumatizing than rape by a stranger.
While every state has its own laws on the subject, broadly defined, marital rape includes "any unwanted intercourse or penetration ... obtained by force, threat of force, or when the wife i unable to consent." If you have experienced rape by your spouse, you have the right to make a police report.
Above information taken from RAINN website.
Know that you are not alone and call our
24-Hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 407 497.6701. |
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Safety Tips - Pass them along...
To learn more or to request a presentation by the Victim Service Center, please contact our Program Director, Zeva Edmondson at Zeva.Edmondson@ocfl.net or 407.644.2577.
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HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AT HOME
- Memorize emergency phone numbers or keep them in a safe and accessible location.
- Keep a phone near you, utilize general voice mail options.
- Keep important items accessible and ready to travel.
- (Driver License, birth certificate, credit card, money, court orders, medical records, keys, medicine).
- Plan an escape route.
- Do not give out personal identifying information on the Internet.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHILDREN SAFER
- Teach them how to call 911.
- Monitor what you children do on the Internet.
- Teach them how to yell for help and practice.
- Post pictures of sexual predators by the front door and teach children/babysitters to not open the door.
HOW TO BE SAFE OUTSIDETHE HOME
- Change routines.
- Keep injunctions for protection and court orders with you.
- Always carry a cell phone.
HOW TO BE SAFER AT WORK OR SCHOOL
- Inform your supervisors if you have a stalker/abuser.
- Provide a picture of the stalker/abuser to security/co-workers.
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Wish List Items
- Colposcope (for forensic evidence collection - used by our Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners)
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- Medical Exam Table (GYN / ADA Approved - used by our Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners)
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- 26" Flat Screen Televisions with DVD Capabilities (one to be used in family/friend waiting area at our Sexual Assault Treatment Center and the other to be used by our Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners for computer viewing)
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Mark Your Calendar - I
Beginning in October
Every Monday - 5:30PM - 6:30PM
Support Group for
Sexual Assault Survivors
The Victim Service Center of Orange County will begin a Support Group for Sexual Assault Survivors beginning October 3, 2011. The group will meet every Monday at the Victim Service Center, located at 1801 Lee Road, Suite #165, Winter Park, Florida 32789.
The group will be facilitated by our Advocates and will meet from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
If interested in attending please contact us at: 407-644-2577. |
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Mark Your Calendar - II
Light Up the Night - UCF
UCF Victim Services is inviting everyone to join them in honoring victims and survivors of violence....
Light Up the Night is a memorial ceremony held each year for victims and survivors of violence in our UCF community. At the event there will be several guest speakers, including keynote speaker Dr. Richard Lapchick - all share their personal stories about the impact violence has had on their lives and the steps they have taken to help stop the violence from striking again. The Victim Service Center of Orange County, Inc., and other organizations will be available providing information about their work and how they can help the community as well.
The event will be held Monday, October 3, 2011 from 6:00-8:30. This event will be located in the Pegasus Ballroom on the first floor of the Student Union.
Please join UCF and the community and the community in remembering those that have fallen, honoring those who have survived, and helping those who will never have to face this fight alone.
Questions about the UCF event, contact UCF representative, Patrick Van Dyke, at 407.823.6332 or 407.823.6332.
Note: Look for the Victim Service Center of Orange County information table and staff. |
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Click the above button and follow the prompts to join or update your mailing list information to Victim Service Center. |
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Central Florida
Community Foundation
(DonorEdge Portrait) | |
Learn more about the Victim Service Center - visit our DonorEdge portrait, established by the Community Foundation of Central Florida - helping donors validate the organizations they support.
To search the Central Florida Community Foundation's knowledge base or share it with others, visit (click button):
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Donate Now
A value-added transparency option:
You may use your credit card to donate now.
You have the option to donate now by clicking on the button-link below.
This takes you to our portrait in the Community Foundation of Central Florida's knowledge base where you can safely and securely use your credit card to donate now.
Your donation will be processed through the Foundation and then directed to us.
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Investing in the Victim Service Center
Remember the Victim Service Center when creating your legacy, or as part of your ongoing planned giving efforts.
Feel free to contact your attorney or financial planner to discuss how the Victim Service Center can be incorporated into you will, trust(s), or other facets of your financial and estate plan.
Contact Jody Swain, Development Director, at Jody.Swain@ocfl.net or 407.644.3831 to discuss how you might want to donate to the Victim Service Center. |
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Victim Service Center
Contact Information
Hours: Monday - Friday(8AM-5PM)
Office: 407.644.2577
1801 Lee Road, Suite 165
Winter Park, Florida 32789
24-Hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 407.497.6701
Toll Free: 1.866.757.2046
www.VictimServiceCenter.com
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F. Y. I.
Coming to Orlando in February
3rd Annual
2012 Walk in My Shoes
(a walk to raise awareness about sexual abuse, advocate for abuse prevention and help survivors find their voice)
Tentative Orlando walk date set for Saturday, February 4th
Start and Finish Lines and Times
To Be Determined
If you are interested in helping us plan for this event we would enjoy having you participate with us. Contact Jody Swain - 407.644.2577 |
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