FCASV Insight June 2021

Spring Recaps and Updates

Advocacy Day

For the past year, meetings and events have looked a little different. FCASV’S Legislative Advocacy Day 2021 was no exception. In March, we held the first ever Virtual Advocacy Day where sexual assault assistance program staff and experienced advocates shared the impacts and risk factors that survivors face. Legislators and their staff connected with those who are doing the work to develop more equitable, trauma-informed communities, while learning more about issues directly impacting survivor communities.

Special thanks to Senator Janet Cruz, who served as the Advocacy Day 2021 keynote speaker—leaving attendees with encouraging words and a glimpse of the work being done to shift the culture and attitudes towards sexual violence in our state. Additional thanks to Representative Andrew Learned, Representative Felicia Robinson, and all legislative staff who attended the virtual event to learn about and support our work on behalf of survivors.

I Am Honoring Sexual Assault Awareness Month

This April, FCASV's Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign in Florida was “I AM”. The theme recognized and honored the variability in victims’ and survivors’ backgrounds, healing processes and outlets, and represented individuals choosing how they want to present and identify themselves to the world.

FCASV continued to operate in virtual spaces for SAAM 2021 - read on for activity spotlights!

Healing Through Ink Virtual Gallery

To highlight the independent expression of victims and survivors, FCASV hosted a virtual gallery inviting individuals to send in chosen body art that represented their stories. Many survivors use non-traditional methods of healing, such as tattoos, as a way to regain control of their bodies. This gallery served as a reminder that every survivor's canvas is unique to their journey. Visit fcasv.org to check out the virtual gallery.

Film Screening and Panel Discussion

Highlighting the stories and amplifying the experiences of survivors of the past and present is centrally important in creating safer and just communities for victims.

In April, FCASV hosted a film screening and panel discussion examining You Belong To Me: Sex, Race and Murder in the South, which chronicles the abuse and controversial trial of Florida survivor Ruby McCollum. We had the good fortune of connecting with Florida House leaders Representative Tracie Davis and Representative Michele Rayner, along with Professor Na’Imah Ford, to discuss elements of the film—ranging from gender roles and generational trauma of Black women in the criminal justice system to the continued criminalization of victims. The film screening and panel discussion was an open event, geared towards sexual assault assistance programs, advocacy organizations, students, and supporters of the anti-sexual violence movement.

The event served as just a portion of FCASV’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month initiative, and we are grateful for the participation of our panelists and all attendees who assisted in creating such an insightful event. Missed the conversation? You can hear a few takeaways from the discussion via FCASV’s Facebook page.

Denim Day

To honor Denim Day during SAAM, FCASV hosted a display that featured denim from survivors across the state. Supporters and legislative leaders in Florida joined in by sporting their denim as visible signs of protest against sexual violence and to help spread the message that clothing does not equal consent.

Shout outs to Senator Lori Berman, Senator Audrey Gibson, Representative Anna Eskamani, Representative Felicia Robinson, and Senator Loranne Ausley for sending in pictures in their awareness denim! As a special treat, Senator Janet Cruz read FCASV’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation on the floor during Denim Day.

Check out our social media pages to catch up on our Denim Day activities!

Victim Service Center Podcast

In March, the Victim Service Center of Central Florida (VSC) celebrated its one-year anniversary of hosting a weekly podcast. During the past year, VSC creatively turned to podcasting to overcome barriers presented by COVID-19. Utilizing all podcast platforms, the VSC podcast forum has expanded outreach so greatly that they even have audience members from 28 states and 25 countries.

The consistency of weekly podcasts is a great deal of work but the commitment brings reward through deeper and wide-spread collaborations with local non-profits, colleges, law enforcement organizations, and other agencies as an avenue for cross promotion. Topics have been wide-ranging including trauma, victimization, gender identity, LGBTQ survivors, and legal issues among many others. The VSC podcast has had notable figures including elected officials, authors, and an Olympian. VSC is open to ideas on podcast dialogue and to have sister rape crisis centers join as guests to discuss issues impacting clients, staff, and the community.

During National Crime Victim Rights' Week in April, FCASV's Executive Director Jennifer Dritt had the pleasure of participating as a guest alongside the Executive Director of the National Crime Victim Law Institute Meg Garvin. The episode covered victim rights, common misconceptions regarding these rights, and what society could be doing better for survivors of trauma. To check out the episode, visit VSC's YouTube channel and browse amongst the more than fifty other episodes!

Hearing from listeners really solidifies the impact this has had on the community and beyond. “VSC Podcasts are teeming with insight on many current social issues; sharing unbiased education on many challenging topics; resources for compassionate learning; and deeply stimulating conversation. I have been enlightened with fresh perspectives on how to engage with my community and I feel a sense of hope listening to people who offer care in a time often plagued by hopelessness and selfishness” - Jacqui

Legislative Session 2021

Following a busy month, the 2021 legislative session also came to an end on April 30th. Programs, advocates, and lawmakers faced an array of issues during the 60-day session. FCASV is proud of the action and advocacy of program staff and supporters to increase survivor awareness among Florida’s leaders and policy makers. A wide range of legislation was filed directly impacting services. As session came to a close, a few pieces crossed the finish line and passed both chambers, and are now awaiting the Governor's signature.

SB 1002/HB 673 DNA Evidence Collected in Sexual Offense Investigations requires the creation and maintenance of a state-wide database specifically for rape-kit tracking. The bill allows survivors to obtain direct notification on the status of evidence as it is processed.

Sponsors:

Senator Linda Stewart

Representative Emily Slosberg

SB 1530/HB 1189 Victims of Sexual Offenses reinforces and formalizes the work of Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs), coordinated by the state's 31 certified rape crisis centers. The bill solidifies collaboration between law enforcement, allied health professionals, and county health departments to continue the work of a victim-centered crisis response to sexual violence. The legislation requires trauma-informed sexual violence training for law enforcement officers, along with the support and promotion of trained sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs).

Sponsors:

Senator Lauren Book

Representative Randy Fine

Representative Tracie Davis

Have You Visited Our New Website?

FCASV's new site features:

—A calendar with training and event opportunities The Get Help Now section helping survivors to find information for their local sexual assault programs

—A Resources page with electronic files of FCASV materials

—An Awareness & Outreach page allowing visitors to follow along with our work of raising awareness about sexual violence, its impacts, and the needs of survivors across the state.

Interested in learning more about our work? Check out our pages like Legal Services, Public Policy, and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) to learn about our initiatives.

Meet FCASV's Newest SART Coordinator/Advocate in the Keys

While it is never easy to say goodbye to a staff member who stretched community work by leaps and bounds, FCASV has welcomed our newest advocate and change-maker, Christine Depre. Christine serves as the SART Coordinator/Advocate in the Florida Keys. In her new role, she provides confidential advocacy, safety planning, and community referrals to survivors of sexual assault through the local non-profit Christina’s Courage. In addition to her advocate role, Christine also coordinates SART activities in Monroe County.

This month, Christine paid a visit to Pirate Radio Key West to discuss confidential services available to survivors, SANE examination information, and victim reporting rights to name a few. Sexual assault services in the Keys are available to survivors of every gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability level, and background. Interpretation services are available along with virtual assistance.

To learn more or to keep up with Christine’s work in the community, visit Facebook via FCASV and Christina’s Courage.

Upcoming Trainings

40 Hour Adult/Adolescent SANE Trainings

7/21 - 7/23, 7/26 - 7/27
Punta Gorda, FL
For more information about this training and to register, please visit fcasv.org.

8/23 - 8/27
Davie/Ft. Lauderdale, FL
For more information about this training and to register, please visit fcasv.org.

The 40 hour SANE Training is geared toward medical professionals: APRNs, RNs, physician assistants and physicians. It is an approved International Association of Forensic Nurses course which adheres to the National Training Standards for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiners for adults and adolescents.

This project was supported by subgrant No. COHK4 awarded by the state administering office for the STOP Formula Grant Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the state or the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.