Palm Beach County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center Information Brochure

PALM BEACH COUNTY VICTIM SERVICES BROCHURE

VISION: Justice for all crime victims.

MISSION STATEMENT: With compassion and respect, we assist victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, homicide, and other violent crimes through crisis response, advocacy, therapy, and community awareness.

CERTIFICATION: Palm Beach County Victim Services is a Certified Rape Crisis Center providing therapy services to all crime victims in Palm Beach County regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, or gender identity/expression.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

24/7 HELPLINE: (561) 833-7273 | TOLL FREE: (866) 891-7273

Main Courthouse: 205 North Dixie Hwy., Suite 5.1100, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | (561) 355-2418 option 3 | TTY: (561) 233-2595

Victim Services SART Center: 4210 North Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407 | (561) 625-2568 option 1 | TTY: (561) 624-6520

North County Courthouse: 3188 PGA Blvd., Suite 1436, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 | (561) 355-2418 option 3 | TTY: (561) 624-6643

South County Courthouse: 200 West Atlantic Ave., Suite 1E-301, Delray Beach, FL 33444 | (561) 274-1500 | TTY: (561) 274-1015

West County-Glades Courthouse: 2976 State Road 15, 2nd Floor, Belle Glade, FL 33430 | (561) 996-4871 | TTY: (561) 992-1113

FLORIDA STATUTE 960 VICTIM RIGHTS: - Office of Attorney General Crime Victim Compensation when applicable - Right to be informed, present, and heard at crucial stages of criminal/juvenile proceedings - Access to information about victim services, compensation programs, crisis intervention, counseling, and social services - Right to prompt and timely disposition of case - Right to property return after investigation/prosecution - Right to Victim Advocate present during depositions - Right to request exemption prohibiting disclosure of identifying information for specific crimes

SERVICES PROVIDED:

SEXUAL ASSAULT: - Information about Victims' rights - 24-hour crisis response to hospitals, law enforcement, crime scenes - Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and Forensic Exam at The Butterfly House - Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) - Criminal Justice advocacy and court accompaniment - Assistance with State Crime Victim Compensation and Restraining Orders - Individual therapy and support groups - Community resources referrals

DOMESTIC ASSAULT: - Crisis Intervention - Safety Planning - Restraining Order assistance - Safe-Shelter Referrals - Personal and legal advocacy during criminal justice proceedings

HOMICIDE AND OTHER VIOLENT CRIMES: - Crisis Intervention and emotional support for victims and families - Crime victim compensation assistance - Court Accompaniment - Therapy, support groups, and community referrals

THERAPY FOR CHILDREN & TEENAGERS: - Assessment and treatment for child victims - Play Therapy - Therapeutic interventions teaching child safety - Parental assistance during crisis

FORENSIC EXAM INFORMATION: - Head-to-toe exam collecting evidence and checking for injuries - Rights: stop exam anytime, have advocate present, be informed of kit status - Evidence collected: blood, urine, saliva, pubic hair combings, nail samples, clothing items - Timeline: If reported to law enforcement, kit sent to lab within 30 days, processed within 120 days - If not reported: kit stored anonymously for limited time

VICTIM BILL OF RIGHTS: - Obtain forensic exam whether or not reporting - Have advocate at forensic exam - Have forensic exam sent for testing within 30 days (if reported) - Review law enforcement report - Be informed and heard at criminal proceedings - Have advocate during discovery deposition - Confidential identifying information - Offender tested for HIV and hepatitis if charged - Attend sentencing/disposition - Notification of judicial proceedings - Notification of offender release - Request restitution - Give victim impact statement - Not be subjected to polygraph - Take up to 3 days leave from work (eligible employer) - Apply for injunction if fearing for safety

VICTIM COMPENSATION ELIGIBILITY: - Medical Care - Lost Income - Mental health services - Relocation - Expenses related to crime injuries

RESSOURCES: - Florida Council Against Sexual Violence: 1-888-956-7273 | www.fcasv.org - Victim Compensation: 1-800-226-6667 | www.myfloridalegal.com - Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sexual Offender/Predator Unit: 1-888-357-7332; 1-850-410-8572 - TTY Accessibility: 1-877-414-7234 | sexpred@fdle.state.fl.us - Florida Department of Corrections VINE: 1-877-VINE-4-FL - Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873

CENTER FOR TRAUMA COUNSELING (Additional Resource): Non-profit Community Counseling Center serving Palm Beach County Individual, Couples, Family, & Group Therapy for ages 3 to 99+ Insurance accepted: Cigna, Humana Commercial, Magellan, Beacon (Humana Medicaid, Coventry) Sliding scale fees based on income Languages: English, Spanish, Farsi Evidence-based models: Play/Sand Tray therapy, EMDR, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Hours: Monday-Friday, Saturdays, evening appointments Location: 6801 Lake Worth Road, Suite 307, Greenacres, FL 33467 Phone: 561-444-3914 | info@palmbeachmentalhealth.org | www.palmbeachmentalhealth.org

START BY BELIEVING PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: Promotes compassion and respect in response to sexual violence, changing community response one interaction at a time.

Funding: Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners with grants from Office of Attorney General and Florida Council Against Sexual Violence.