Safety. That is the first concern for law enforcement and for Crisis Center counselors and advocates who respond to victims of sexual violence. For law enforcement "Our goal is always to get somebody bad off the street and to put bad people in jail," says Master Sergeant Mike Hurley of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Crisis Center advocates assist victims in finding the resources that they need.
The most important aspect of advocacy is empowering victims to take control of their lives. That may be through the legal process, counseling or by helping them create a safety plan. "We always want to make sure that they feel safe where they are. A safety plan may include changing locks and phone numbers, or sometimes it's just a matter of having a support person that they can call," says Emily Firth of the Crisis Center.
The Law Enforcement Advocacy Program, conceived by Michele Wykes, former Director of Sexual Assault Services at the Crisis Center, has been implemented with the Tampa Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. The partnership means a close working relationship between Sexual Assault Services Advocates from the Crisis Center and the detectives and deputies working on cases of sexual violence.
Sexual Assault Services Advocates Emily Frith and Lizyvette Ramos are stationed at both agencies to assist law enforcement personnel with sexual assault cases. They help review unfounded cases, consult on current cases, and, in some instances, are called to the scene to provide trauma counseling and offer Psychological First Aid.
After the forensic exam and initial safety planning, Firth and Ramos work with the victims offering referrals tocounseling, empowerment workshops and other services to help each of them move from being a victim to being a survivor. "We focus on hope, health and healing. It is an honor for us to assist them in their journey," says Firth.
The Law Enforcement Advocacy Program is only a few months old, but already Hurley says, "I can already see a subtle success. I'm learning some new things from them and they are helping us do our jobs better for the future," stated Hurley.
The Tampa Police Department has also embraced the program and welcomed the Advocates on board, "It's been a tremendous help. They've provided a convenient, reassuring presence and have offered trauma counseling as a neutral third party," reported 16-year veteran Sergeant Kevin Schoolmeeters of theTampa Police Department's Family Violence Squad.
The Law Enforcement Advocacy Program is another step forward in the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay's commitment to bring the model of trauma-informed care to every service.
