Advocating for Change

The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV) serves as a resource to the state on sexual violence issues. The FCASV mission is to lead, educate, advocate, serve and network on behalf of individuals impacted by sexual violence. FCASV provides information, assistance and leadership on all aspects of sexual violence, including rape, child sexual abuse, stalking and sexual harassment. Each year FCASV hosts a statewide conference and various trainings, bringing state-of-the-art information from around the nation to Florida. FCASV provides technical assistance to agencies seeking to improve their services for rape victims, and up-to-date information to the public. By using the 1-888 information line, callers can access their local rape crisis center, information from a resource library or a network of national resources. Overall, FCASV serves as Florida’s leader on the issue of sexual violence.

FCASV is working to achieve the following goals:

• Improving Florida’s sexual violence programs, including seeking funding, resources and services;
• Collaborating with agencies from different fields to help them better serve sexual assault victims;
• Providing up-to-date information and training to professionals;
  Raising public awareness about the impact of sexual violence;
• Developing, tracking and monitoring legislative initiatives that affect sexual violence survivors;
• Supporting the reduction of the risk of sexual violence through prevention education and increased prosecution and criminal justice system accountability of perpetrators.

Sexual Violence
Hurts Everyone

It is vital that Florida improves its response to sexual violence, because rape and other related crimes have a tremendous impact on the health and safety of our communities. The trauma of rape has a profound effect on victims’ health, families, jobs and abilities to contribute to our communities. Survivors of sexual violence need assistance from a complex array of professionals including medical/forensic providers, advocates, criminal justice professionals and social service providers in order to recover from the devastation of sexual assault. To meet the many needs of rape survivors, these professionals must have specialized training and a coordinated community response to serve victims.

Rape victims need 24-hour crisis support services such as:

• Forensic exams performed by specially trained medical providers and comprehensive medical follow-up to ensure health, healing and prevention from sexually transmitted diseases.
• Advocacy, crisis counseling and case management services from a rape crisis program and victim service specialists to help with the criminal justice process at law enforcement departments, state attorneys offices, probation/parole offices and universities.
• Crisis hotline support, counseling and support group services for victims and their loved ones.
• Access to safe shelter and assistance for crime-related needs, such as relocation assistance or excused absences from employment.

Working Together

The work of FCASV is guided by members from across the state. Our members are individuals and agencies who are concerned about sexual violence survivors. They represent the many people who work together to meet the needs of sexual violence victims, including counselors, crisis center staff, law enforcement officers, criminal justice professionals, medical professionals, allied service providers and other concerned citizens.

Members have access to FCASV’s resources, receive our quarterly newsletter and qualify for discounted training opportunities. Most importantly, our members have a powerful effect by joining together with other concerned people throughout Florida who are working to lessen the impact of sexual violence. Together we create change, improve services for victims and increase the safety and well-being of our communities.

Sexual violence is the most underreported violent crime in the United States.