OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It’s a far greater problem than you could’ve ever imagined.
One in every four women and one in 26 men have been sexually assaulted, and those are just the reported cases. Many people don’t report the crimes because they’re embarrassed, ashamed or they don’t want to talk about it.
Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties: A Lifeline for Marion County
In July 2023, the doors closed to one of Marion County’s most important resources, however, Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties, continued to provide the necessary services, crisis intervention and resources for victims of sexual assault.
The collective efforts of a community are working toward making certain a facility will be available in Marion County to provide those services and resources. Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties is providing services in Marion County at the new location. Partnering with the health department and Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties made the continuation of services and resources possible, said Rachel Franklin, Marion County Sexual Assault Center board member. They have an agreement in place with SMA Healthcare in Ocala to provide therapy services.
CASA of Pinellas County came in to offer domestic violence services, including shelter and counseling, while the shelter was unavailable.
The Marion County Sexual Assault Center has a building ready, but it needs more funding and preparation before it can start providing services. Until then, Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties will continue to support those looking for treatment, counseling, therapy, and resources to help them heal from their trauma at the new site.
24-Hour Hotline and On-Call Nurses Offer Immediate Help to Victims
A crisis intervention specialist is available to talk to victims through a 24-hour hotline, according to Franklin.
“If they want to just come in and get a referral for somewhere else or they just need services, we can provide that referral,” said Franklin. “We’ll also have a victim advocate contact them back who is trained in sexual assault trauma, so they’ll be able to talk to the victim.”
When the victim calls the hotline, the sexual assault center contacts a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) and has the victim come to the facility.
“They are on call,” said Franklin, adding that most sexual assaults happen in the middle of the night. “Law enforcement would bring them here. The nurse would meet the victim at the center, if it’s after hours. If it’s during hours, the advocate would already be here, and they would just call the nurse to come.”
The New Center: A Safe Space for Victims to Heal
Franklin mentions that the new site includes interview rooms and an exam room. People can speak with an advocate and find out about available resources. He notes that around 70% of those who experience sexual assault suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or depression and require urgent crisis support.
“If you’re a victim who doesn’t want to report to law enforcement, but you want to get the sexual assault exam done so they can save the evidence and do the evidence collection; we save the evidence and send it to FDLE and they’ll save it,” said Franklin. “So, say six months down the road, they’ll have the DNA if they do want to report it later. We want victims to have that opportunity. It is completely their right if they decide they want to report it to law enforcement.”
Victims are encouraged to come to the sexual assault center, so they can get tested for STDs and any other medical issues they may have sustained from the attack, said Franklin.
“We want them to be able to have a comfortable place, instead of going to an emergency room where there’s a lot going on, and to be able to talk to somebody who’s trained in this and explain what happened,” said Franklin. “So, we can collect the evidence.”
Collective Community Support: A True Team Effort
This has been a team effort, acknowledging the need. The Florida Fifth Judicial Circuit Court’s State Attorney’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, Bellview Police Department, Dunnellon Police Department, Kimberly Center, and the Marion Children’s Alliance have all contributed to this process.
The center depends on grants and donations but needs to pay upfront for any work on the facility, with reimbursement coming later, which has made things tough. They recently organized a fundraising golf tournament at the Country Club at Silver Springs Shores and have another event, Cops and Cars, scheduled for November 9. Main Street Community Bank has been very helpful as well.
“The Heart of Florida donated the exam room, and The Community Foundation has been amazing, they’ve helped with the fundraising, helping us find grants and [City of Ocala] Mayor Ben Marciano has been amazing.” said Franklin. “Lennar Homes wrote us a check for $100,000.”