VSC Podcast

You may have heard the term Rape Culture before but what exactly is it? On the 60th Episode of the VSC Podcast Join Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell who chats with UCF Victim Services Victim Advocate Jessica Baker and Rollins College Violence Prevention Educator Heather Surrency about examples of Rape Culture on College Campuses and ways we can combat it.

Heather Surrency uses she/her pronouns and has been working in the area of campus violence prevention for more than 15 years. After receiving her master’s degree in public health from the University of South Carolina, she began her work as a health educator at a large university in the southeast. It quickly became apparent to Heather and her colleagues that sexual violence was a prevalent problem on campus that needed to be addressed. Needing training, support and resources, Heather paired up with the women’s center on her campus and applied for and received a VAWA Campus Grant to implement a survivor advocacy and violence prevention Initiative. Through this work, Heather has conducted numerous trainings with students, staff, faculty and campus community partners in the area of violence prevention. Heather has recently joined the Title IX staff at Rollins College in the role of violence prevention educator and continues to work directly with students implementing violence prevention programming.

Jessica Baker uses she/her pronouns and is a Victim Advocate at UCF Victim Services since 2018. Prior to her current role, Jessica was a Victim Advocate at the State Attorney’s Office in the 9th Judicial Circuit working in the Domestic Violence Unit’s Felony Division. She believes survivors and values a survivor’s right to choose the path they walk after any trauma, abuse or victimization.

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Be sure to follow UCF @UCFAdvocates and Rollins @rollinsviolenceprevention

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

It’s Denim Day and to finish off Sexual Assault Awareness Month we are so excited to share our newest Podcast Episode featuring Olympic swimmer Margaret Hoelzer! Join Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell and VSC Program Director JoEllen Revell as we chat with Margaret about her experience with Childhood Sexual Abuse, the common effects childhood trauma and minimization can have on survivors, and ways we can all help support survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse.

Margaret Hoelzer uses she/her pronouns and is a Double Olympian and three-time Olympic Medalist in Swimming, as well as a former World Record holder.  At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she was awarded Silver medals in the 200m Backstroke and the 400m Medley Relay. Margaret is an accomplished public speaker and vocal advocate for victims of sexual abuse, having given speeches on Tedx and at various conferences and fundraisers around the country and is currently the National Spokesperson for the National Children’s Advocacy Center.In her speeches, Margaret shares her personal experience as a survivor of sexual abuse and focuses on lighting the path toward healing for other victims, their families and friends.

JoEllen Revell uses she/her pronouns and is the Victim Service Center Program Director who oversees the Advocacy, Therapy and Forensic Nursing Department. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years’ experience in clinical and administrative oversight.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/_p4Dxtc--x8

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

#SAAM

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

It’s Victims’ Rights Week and on the new episode of the VSC Podcast Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with Executive Director of the National Crime Victim Law Institute Meg Garvin and Executive Director from the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence Jennifer Dritt to talk about what rights victims have, some common misconceptions regarding these rights, and what we could be doing better as a society for survivors of trauma.

Meg Garvin uses she/her pronouns and is the Executive Director of the National Crime Victim Law Institute which is based at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon where she is also a law professor. Since 2003 Meg has been working in the field of victims’ rights drafting legislation, litigating the meaning of rights and educating attorneys, advocates, law enforcement, victims and more on the importance of these rights.

Jennifer Dritt uses she/her pronouns and is the Executive Director from the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence. She has been involved in the movement to end sexual violence for over thirty-five years, initially as an advocate and trauma therapist, and more recently as an administrator and policy maker.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/ale_CWdjvMA

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Be sure to follow @fcasv

#SAAM #victimsrightsweek

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to uplift survivor voices and raise awareness to this very prevalent and important issue. On this week’s episode VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with VSC Speakers Bureau Member Molly Kennedy and VSC LGBTQ+ Crisis Counselor and Victim Advocate Kevin Fox to chat about common reactions survivors have in regards to trust after assault, how supporters can be a trusting and safe person for the survivors in their lives, and possible ways survivors can move towards regaining trust.

Molly Kennedy uses she/her pronouns and is a current VSC volunteer involved in outreach, education, and other groups there. She graduated from University of Florida in Dec 2018 and will be attending medical school this upcoming August.

Kevin Fox uses he/him pronouns and is a Victim advocate in an adjunct position with the VSC and Zebra Coalition serving survivors in the LGBTQ+ Community. Kevin worked as a high school teacher while receiving his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College. His passion when working with clients is to help them increase their resilience and satisfaction with their everyday lives; he seeks to help clients increase their meaning from life and live more authentically and honestly.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/D6gu4_gapKA

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

On the 56th episode of the VSC Podcast Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with VSC Speakers Bureau Member Rachel Sines and VSC Lead Advocate Rhonda Wilson to chat about Sexual Assault Anniversaries, common reactions survivors can have during these anniversaries, and ways survivors and their supporters can help prepare and heal during these moments in their healing journeys.

Rachel Sines uses she/her pronouns and is a survivor of a sexual assault and kidnapping following the break in of her home 14 years ago. Her attacker was given four life sentences and 67 years in prison for 13 counts with a firearm. She lives with her husband and daughter in Winter Garden, FL and takes every opportunity to advocate for victims and others seeking a path to healing in order to create something positive from such a dark event.

Rhonda Wilson she/her pronouns and has been part of the VSC team for ten years. She has three graduate degrees, a Master of Human Services, a MBA and a Master in Administration of Justice and Security. Rhonda has over 30 years of experience in criminal/military justice. She served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. After retiring from the Navy, Rhonda worked as the Director of a Residential Re-entry Center for inmates transitioning from federal prisons. Rhonda’s goal is to engage the entire community in activities that prevent sexual assault and crime.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/LshM0Dwm9Sw 

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

One of the free services VSC provides to survivors of trauma are therapy groups. On the 55th episode of the VSC Podcast Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with VSC Advocate Monique Bennett and VSC Therapy Intern Suzanne Higbie-Long to chat about the DBT Skills group they are leading and why these skills are particularly useful for survivors of trauma.

Monique Bennett uses she/her pronouns and hails from the University of Central Florida where she earned her Masters in Social Work and Certificate in Marriage & Family counseling, and a Bachelors in Psychology. She has several years of experience working with Women, Children & Families in addition to our homeless population. She is passionate about helping others overcome barriers and navigate through life’s obstacles using solution focus techniques and motivational interviewing. She is adamant about empowering others so that they are living life and not just surviving. She serves her clients with eyes of compassion, a heart filled with love, by providing education, motivation, and emotional support. Monique believes you can make a difference in this world by just helping one person at a time.

Suzanne Higbie-Long uses she/her pronouns and is a Counselor Intern at Victim Service Center. She earned her bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and will graduate from Rollins College with her Masters in Mental Health Counseling this May. Suzanne feels that, along with individual therapy, support groups and group therapy are important pieces in a survivor’s journey. Suzanne is a strong advocate for trauma survivors and believes we need a call to action against rape culture and sexual assault in our society.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/fLjX6EXge5Y

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

Spreading Positivity can be great, but when can it become toxic? On the new episode of the VSC Podcast Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with UCF’s Dr. Kim Spence and VSC Advocate Jocelyn Rayas to chat about toxic statements well-intentioned people may be saying to the survivors in their lives, the effects Toxic Positivity and suppressing emotions can have on individuals, and how we can reframe statements into validating and supportive ones.

Dr. Kimberly Spence uses she/her pronouns and has served as the Coordinator of Educational and Training Programs for the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) since 1999 and as the Clinical Director of Autism Support Services for Specialized Treatment & Assessment Resources (which is a private forensic practice), since 2017. She has lectured nationally and internationally regarding treatment, specialized therapeutic intervention, and the creation of specialized sexuality education programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) for over 20 years.

Jocelyn Rayas uses she/her pronouns and is a bilingual crisis counselor/victim advocate at the VSC. Jocelyn obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and her Masters in Human Services. She recently moved down to Florida a year ago and is a huge animal lover.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/t-I5PDFSk8w

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

On the 53rd episode of the VSC Podcast Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with two incredible survivors, Karla Molina and Kelly, to chat about their healing journeys and the VSC. Come learn about barriers survivors could face when coming forward, the different ways people can heal, and how we can be better supporters for the people in our lives whom have been affected by trauma.

Karla Molina uses she/her pronouns and is a former client at the Victim Service Center. She successfully completed her treatment at the VSC after a 4+ year journey of healing. Karla looks to empower others to take charge of their future and empower them to grow into the best version of themselves by sharing her story and her successes with the VSC.

Kelly uses she/her pronouns and has survived date rape by the police officer brother of her best friend in her 20s, repeated sexual abuse by her alcoholic ex-husband in her 30s and 40s, and being abducted, drugged, and assaulted by two strangers a few months after her 50th birthday. Kelly has received individual and group therapy for four years through the Orange County Victim Service Center, where she met and developed an ongoing supportive friendship with our other guest, Karla.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/lTYNceIXxBs

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

March is Social Work Month! Come listen to the new episode of the VSC Podcast to learn about the profession! Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with two Social Work VSC Interns Danielle Uhran and Marlene Isma to talk about why they chose to pursue a degree in Social Work, stigmas and misconceptions about the field, and why Social Workers are essential to the community.

Danielle Uhran uses she/her pronouns and is one of our Social Work Pre-practicum interns at the VSC currently pursuing her master's in social work from the Florida State University with a certificate in Gerontology. Danielle is passionate about helping victims of sexual assault, violent crime, and traumatic circumstances move towards a path of healing.

Marlene Isma uses she/her pronouns and is an advocate intern at the VSC. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Social Work in 2019 and is now pursuing her Masters in Social Work. She has a passion for addressing homelessness, helping immigrants, and other community work. She loves fashion and creative directing and hopes to combine her passions with her creative side in the future.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/oYCR7V0sk2o

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

Spring is just around the corner and the new episode of the VSC Podcast is all about Gardening and Healing! Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with VSC Intern Danielle Uhran and VSC Victim Advocate Steven Wilson to talk about a VSC Therapy Group for survivors: The Passion Flower Project. Come learn how Gardening can be therapeutic and how plants can be used as metaphors for survivors of trauma.

Danielle Uhran uses she/her pronouns and is one of our Social Work Pre-practicum interns at the VSC currently pursuing her master's in social work from the Florida State University with a certificate in Gerontology. Danielle is passionate about helping victims of sexual assault, violent crime, and traumatic circumstances move towards a path of healing.

Steven Wilson uses he/him pronouns, earned his Bachelors and Masters in Social work from the University of Central Florida, and is a Crisis Counselor and Victim Advocate at the VSC. Diversity, inclusivity, social justice, compassion and respect are values he lives by. His passions include nature, traditional gardening and aqua-scaping (aquarium gardening). The Passion Flower Project is literally a passion project. He believes that a connection with nature is a means of finding inner peace. His hope is to share his passion for nature and gardening so others can heal from their trauma and appreciate the beautiful world around us.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/jUJRcDQXLYE

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.