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Thank You to Our Fall Semester Interns
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From left: Brandi Godbee, Michelle Kim, and Gigi Locke
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We were fortunate enough to have three highly capable and dedicated interns working with us this past semester - and even luckier that two of them will be sticking around for the coming spring!
Wrapping up her internship this past December, Brandi Godbee was an immense help with our outreach efforts and advertising. She accompanied our prevention specialist to several events, where she represented the Victim Service Center and educated the public on our goals and services. Without her, we wouldn't be able to debut a number of the fliers and taglines we hope to share in the coming months. Thanks Brandi!
Michelle Kim and Gigi Locke will both be returning for one more semester at the VSC. They've been instrumental in helping us handle our increasing client load and provide the best service possible to victims and families who seek our support. Along with our senior advocate, Michelle is co-facilitating iThrive: A Support Group for Young Adult Sexual Assault Survivors. We are thrilled to be able to build on the skills that these exceptional women have developed over the last few months and continue to use their knowledge and professionalism to help those in need. Thanks Michelle and Gigi!
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Become a Ride to Reach Sponsor!
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2012 was the first year we put on Ride to Reach and created a successful awareness opportunity about sexual assault and services available to the community through the Victim Service Center. For Ride to Reach 2013 our goal is to: expand our reach; involve more participants and vendors; and raise more funds to provide ongoing and expanded services to victims of crime and sexual assault.
Visit our sponsorship webpage today to learn how you can become a sponsor for Ride to Reach and what the benefits of your support would entail!
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Adopt-a-Family a Huge Success
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This year, our Adopt-a-Family program served seven clients and their families, marking our most ambitious holiday giving effort to date. Through the coordination of board members, advocates, and donors, we successfully connected families in need with some of their Christmas wish list items to make the season all the more cheery and bright. Our great thanks goes out to each person who helped Santa with his shopping - your thoughtfulness does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. And especially to Board Treasurer Adela Hathaway for chairing our Adopt-a-Family committee.
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January Is National Stalking
Awareness Month
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Stalking is a dangerous crime that affected 6.6 million adults in the United States in one year. The better we understand the facts about stalking, the more we can do to stop it.
That's why the Stalking Resource Center, National Center for Victims of Crime, and the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, launched National Stalking Awareness Month in 2004. Every January since then, communities across the country have focused on stalking - holding events, sharing information, and building awareness about the crime.
Test your knowledge of stalking by answering the following questions:
1) How many states have stalking laws?
a. 25
b. 34
c. 48
d. 50
2) Most stalking victims are celebrities.
a. True
b. False
3) Most stalking victims will report the stalking to the police.
a. True
b. False
4) What percentage of victims know their stalker?
a. 2%
b. 29%
c. 75%
d. 83%
5) What percentage of victims are stalked by a current or former intimate partner?
a. 5%
b. 11%
c. 30%
d. 44%
6) Which one of the following is a common stalking behavior?
a. Following
b. Frequent phone calls
c. Monitoring computer usage
d. All of the above
To learn more about stalking, you can visit the Stalking Resource Center or read their Stalking Fact Sheet. Our Prevention Specialist is also available to provide stalking presentations free of charge to businesses or community organizations. Call Rhonda Wilson at (407) 254-9415 to schedule a presentation today.
Answers: 1) d. 2) b. 3) b. 4) c. 5) c. 6) d.
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VSC Crime-Related Presentations
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VSC has a wonderful prevention program designed to provide education on crime and crime prevention. We would be happy to come to your agency, school, or community organization at no cost. Our prevention specialist can answer questions and provide resources to you. We can also provide the unique experience of having a crime victim survivor tell their story and be available for questions. We offer presentation on the following crime-related topics:
- Sexual Assault and Recovery
- Crime Victims with Disabilities
- (Teen) Dating Violence
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Campus Safety
- Human Trafficking
- Date Rape Drugs
- Stalking
- Bullying
- Internet Safety
- Secondary Victims (Family, Friends, Bystanders/Interveners)
- Seniors - Victims of crime and sexual assault
- Homelessness - Victims of crime and sexual assault
- Criminal Justice System - What to expect after the victimization
- Victim Service Center - What we can do for you
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National Slavery and Human Trafficking
Prevention Month
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When he issued his presidential proclamation in honor of last year's National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, President Obama made reference to the thousands upon thousands of individuals enslaved both here and abroad in present day - more people than were in slavery at the height of the transatlantic slave trade.
He said, "Nearly a century and a half ago, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation -- a document that reaffirmed the noble goals of equality and freedom for all that lie at the heart of what it means to live in America. In the years since, we have tirelessly pursued the realization and protection of these essential principles. Yet, despite our successes, thousands of individuals living in the United States and still more abroad suffer in silence under the intolerable yoke of modern slavery. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we stand with all those who are held in compelled service; we recognize the people, organizations, and government entities that are working to combat human trafficking; and we recommit to bringing an end to this inexcusable human rights abuse."
"Human trafficking endangers the lives of millions of people around the world, and it is a crime that knows no borders. Trafficking networks operate both domestically and transnationally, and although abuses disproportionally affect women and girls, the victims of this ongoing global tragedy are men, women, and children of all ages. Around the world, we are monitoring the progress of governments in combating trafficking while supporting programs aimed at its eradication. From forced labor and debt bondage to forced commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude, human trafficking leaves no country untouched. With this knowledge, we rededicate ourselves to forging robust international partnerships that strengthen global anti-trafficking efforts, and to confronting traffickers here at home." Contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-3737-888 to report a tip, connect with anti-trafficking services in your area, or request training and technical assistance, general information or specific anti-trafficking resources.
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Advocates greet visitors to our Winter Open House.
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You can see these pictures and more when you visit our
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Monthly Informational Briefings
Last Wednesday of Every Month
Next Briefing
Wednesday - January 30, 2013
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
January 30, 2013
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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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
Sexual Assault Survivors
Every Monday
5:30PM - 7:00PM
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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WHAT? Meeting
If you're a victim of crime, come learn about our services and what happens after your victimization.
Meetings occur every Tuesday 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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iThrive: Support Group for Young Adult Sexual Assault Survivors
Every Thursday
5:30PM - 6:30PM
The group meets every Thursday 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, January 30
To RSVP, please call us at
(407) 254-9415 or e-mail devon.hutchins@ocfl.net.
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Ride to Reach
Saturday, April 20, 2013
7:30AM - 2PM
Everyone is invited to come out and join in on one of the various bicycle rides, stop by to check out the business and nonprofit vendors, listen to music, and join in other family fun. Registration will open soon on our website.
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Recycle Your
Cell Phone
Did you know that the Victim Service Center collects used cell phones and chargers 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 and their chargers that are no longer in use.
Bring your phone and charger to our office, and we'll take care of the rest!
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Wish List Items
Exam table
Flat screen monitors
New sports bras, stretchy pants
Waiting room furniture
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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"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be."
- Douglas Adams
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