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VSC Establishes New Forensic Nurse Program in Osceola County
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As of October 1, our Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners began responding to assaults in both Orange and Osceola Counties. Much like the Sexual Assault Treatment Center located in Orlando, the Osceola Care Center will be a place for victims to receive a rape exam with a trained forensic nurse and supportive victim advocate. This is a welcome alternative to exams conducted in the hospital, where sexual assault victims often spend hours waiting to be seen by Emergency Room staff.
As we extend our forensic nursing program in Osceola County, we are grateful to our many partners and allies who have made it all possible. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Florida Hospital for continuing to provide the Care Center space that will remain the home of forensic exams for victims of sexual assault in the aftermath of an attack. Additionally, the Osceola Sheriff's Office and the St. Cloud and Kissimmee Police Departments deserve our appreciation for making efficient sexual assault response possible throughout the county. Thank you to the Osceola community for letting us meet this need.
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Sexual Assault Support Group Begins in Osceola County
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We will soon be offering a Support Group for Sexual Assault survivors in Osceola County at our Kissimmee office. This will be on Thursdays from noon to 1PM. Those interested should contact the VSC at (407) 254-9415. The group will be facilitated by a certified victim advocate with master's degree credentials.
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Welcome New Board Members!
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The Victim Service Center is pleased to introduce three new members to our Board of Directors.
Nikie Lomax serves as an attorney with Young DeLoach, LLC. Prior to going into the private sector, Nikie was a Senior Attorney with the Department of Children and Families, working in the area of juvenile dependency. She has a sincere desire to help families resolve their issues and to improve the lives of children involved in divorce, paternity and dependency cases.
Karen Flood has served as Regional Manager, State Legislative Affairs, Government & Public Affairs for Florida Hospital since June 2011. She cites her best business achievement as making good partnerships through the health care legislative agenda. Karen was named to the Orlando Business Journal's 2012 40 Under 40 list for community members that represent the future of business in the area.
Kelly Trace is the Executive Director of Kissimmee Main Street. Her organization uses the National Main Street framework set forth by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to ensure the sustainability of small-town architecture and business.
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Michelle Kim works an outreach event at Loews Hotel on behalf of the VSC.
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The Victim Service Center is happy to have Michelle Kim, a Master of Social Work student at the University of Central Florida, join us as an intern through May 2013.
Michelle is in the last year of her program and will be serving as a Victim Advocate to satisfy the field experience requirement of her degree. While this is the first time she's worked with victims of crime, her interest in women's rights advocacy makes her a perfect fit for the role.
In her free time, Michelle enjoys playing music and hanging out with friends. She currently plays the guitar and is teaching herself the keyboard! Michelle is already off to a great start, exercising nuanced judgment and patience. We are lucky to have her on our team!
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National Crime Prevention Month
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In 1984, the National Crime Prevention Council designated October Crime Prevention Month. Every year since then, government agencies, civic groups, schools, businesses, and youth organizations have reached out to educate the public, showcase their accomplishments, and explore new partnerships during this special month.
October has become the official month for recognizing and celebrating the practice of crime prevention, while promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism, and creating safer, more caring communities. The month-long celebration spotlights successful crime prevention efforts on the local, state, and national levels.
The informational kit for this year's theme - Young, Savvy, and Safe - is available to download at the National Crime Prevention Council's site.
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National Bullying Prevention Month
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National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by PACER's National Center for Bullying Prevention. The campaign is held during the month of October and unites communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention. Traditionally held the first week in October, the event was expanded in 2010 to include activities, education, and awareness building for the entire month. National Bullying Prevention Month is recognized in communities across the United States, with hundreds of schools and organizations signing on as partners.
Unity Day, where people from across the country come together to "Make it Orange and Make it End!", will be held on Wednesday, October 10.
PACER publishes these Bullying Prevention and Awareness Facts:
- More than 160,000 U.S. students stay home from school each day from fear of being bullied.
- Bullying directly affects a student's ability to learn. Students who are bullied find it difficult to concentrate, show a decline in grades, and lose self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth.
- Students who are bullied report more physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches, and mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, than other students.
- In some cases, bullying has led to devastating consequences, such as school shootings and suicide.
- Bullying affects witnesses as well as targets. Witnesses often report feeling unsafe, helpless, and afraid that they will be the next target.
- Bullying is a communitywide issue that must no longer be ignored or thought of as a rite of passage. Students, parents, and educators all have a role in addressing bullying situations and changing school culture.
- The two keys to creating change are: increasing awareness that bullying has lifelong impact, and giving people the tools they need to respond effectively.
- Students can be especially effective in bullying intervention. More than 55 percent of bullying situations will stop when a peer intervenes. Student education of how to address bullying for peers is critical, as is the support of adults.
- Silence is no longer an acceptable response to bullying. Adults, students, and educators can no longer look away when they see bullying. Ignoring it won't work. Everyone needs to be empowered with options to respond.
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National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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 Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect battered women's advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state, and national levels.
In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. In 1989 the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress, and such legislation has passed every year since.
The Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday in October. |
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America's Safe Schools Week
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Significant progress is being made to ensure that all of our nation's
 schools are safe, secure, and productive. At the forefront of this movement are hundreds of exemplary school, district, state, and national programs. To recognize these successes and encourage others, October 21-27, 2012, has been proclaimed America's Safe Schools Week. |
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Monthly Informational Briefings
Last Wednesday of Every Month
Next Briefing
Wednesday - October 31, 2012
Noon - 1PM at the Victim Service Center
Each month the Victim Service Center will be offering Informational Briefings to educate the community on our services, cultivate interest in our agency, and offer individual involvement with our mission through volunteerism, fundraising, or assisting us in spreading the word that we are here to help those impacted by crimes and sexual assaults.
By attending our Informational Briefing, you will learn about our history, our mission, services, our priorities, and our goals.
Where & When
2111 E Michigan St, Suite 210
Orlando, Florida 32806
October 31, 2012
Noon - 1PM
Space is limited; please let us know if you will be attending.
RSVP - Office: (407) 254-9415 or e-mail devon.hutchins@ocfl.net.
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Speakers Bureau
Are you a victim of a crime?
Are you wanting to inspire and help inform others by sharing your story?
The Victim Service Center now has a Speakers Bureau.
Mission:
The mission of the VSC Speakers Bureau is to increase awareness of all types of crime, the effects that crime has on its victims, and the need for recovery resources.
Speakers:
The VSC Speakers Bureau consists of survivors of crime, from all walks of life, who share a passion for helping others.
Members have the opportunity to share their personal stories with students, communities, victims' service groups, and others.
Recruiting Speakers:
If you are a victim of a crime, or a friend or family member of a victim, who may be interested in joining the VSC Speakers Bureau, contact our Speakers Bureau Task Force Chair, Diana Oakley, or Jody Swain, Development Director, for more information.
Contact Us:
If you are interested in having a member of the VSC Speakers Bureau attend your event you can contact Diana Oakley or Jody Swain at (407) 254-9415 or you can e-mail Jody at jody.swain@ocfl.net. We can help you develop a topic-focus area that fits your group's presentation need.
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Victim Service Center of Central Florida
Contact Information
Hours: Monday - Friday (8AM-5PM)
Office: (407) 254-9415
2111 E Michigan St, Suite 210
Orlando, Florida 32806
24-Hour Sexual Assault Hotline: (407) 497-6701
Toll Free: 1(866) 757-2046
www.VictimServiceCenter.com
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Let us know how
we can help you
with a presentation:
Request a presentation about our services, crime or crime prevention or talk to us about developing a topic to present to your group - please call us to discuss.
(407) 254-9415
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Sign-Up for Our Newsletter
Click the above button and follow the prompts to join or update your mailing list information to Victim Service Center.
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Mark Your Calendar
Support Group for
Sexual Assault Survivors
Every Monday
5:30PM - 6:30PM
The group meets every Monday at the Victim Service Center, located at 2111 E Michigan St, Suite 210, Orlando, Florida 32806.
If interested in attending please contact us at: (407) 254-9415.
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Monthly Informational Briefing
Last Wednesday of each Month
Noon - 1PM
Come learn more about your Victim Service Center...
Location: Conference Room at the Victim Service Center
Wednesday, October 31
To RSVP, please call us at
(407) 254-9415 or e-mail devon.hutchins@ocfl.net.
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Recycle Your
Cell Phone
Did you know that the Victim Service Center collects used cell phones for recycling?
We're a proud member of the Shelter Alliance, a socially responsible cell phone recycling program that donates money to nonprofits in exchange for mobile phones that are no longer in use.
Bring your phone to our office, and we'll take care of the rest!
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Wish List Items
Exam table
Flat screen monitors
Call the Victim Service Center at (407) 254-9415 if you have questions about how to donate these items. Thank you for your consideration in helping to meet this need.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Speaker for our Speakers Bureau
Newsletter Manager
Event Planning and Assistance
Social Media/Information
Website Development
Host an Event/Fundraiser
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Creating a Solid Future
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 your will, trust(s), or other facets of your financial and estate plan.
Contact Jody Swain, Development Director, at jody.swain@ocfl.net or (407) 254-9415 to discuss how you might want to donate to the Victim Service Center.
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Central Florida
Community Foundation
(DonorEdge Portrait)
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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.
Click here to see our Victim Service Center portrait.
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Other Ways to
Support the
Victim Service Center
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 Use Yahoo! powered GoodSearch so that every time you search the web, money is donated to the Victim Service Center.
Get started by clicking the "Become a Supporter" button on our profile page!
The Victim Service Center is now registered with CharityBlooms.org. 8% of your purchases go towards helping VSC provide our valuable services!
CharityBlooms.org partners with 1800Flowers.com, 1800Baskets.com, FruitBouquets.com, Cheryl's cookies, Fannie May Fine Chocolates, and The Popcorn Factory.
Just remember to input our Donation Code in the promo field when you check out: CHA3195N. Or check out our new landing page here!
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"If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams, and you will always look lovely."
-Roald Dahl
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