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.