VSC Podcast

As we continue through Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we thought it was important to talk about something often ignored: Teen Dating Violence. On the 30th episode of the VSC Podcast VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with SafeHouse’s Prevention Educator Michelle Jewett and Zebra Coalition’s Executive Director Heather Wilkie to chat about Intimate Partner Violence in Teen Dating Relationships. Come listen as we discuss the difference between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Domestic Violence, why it is important to talk about IPV with teens specifically, specific barriers teens, and specifically teens in the LGBTQ+ community, face as IPV survivors, and how we can support and advocate for young people experiencing IPV.

Michelle Jewett uses she/her pronouns and has been a Prevention Educator at SafeHouse, the Domestic Violence Shelter of Seminole County, since 2011. She was awarded Victim Advocate of the Year in 2013 from the Office of the State Attorney 18th Judicial Court as well as the Voice of Hope Award in 2016 from the Seminole County Domestic Violence Task Force. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UCF. Michelle has 5 children of her own, ranging from 16 years-old to twenty-eight. She has found her happily ever after with her husband of almost 30 years and hopes for a time when everyone can have this same dream become a reality.

Heather Wilkie uses she/her pronouns and has served as the Executive Director for Zebra Coalition, an organization whose mission is to support and inspire LGBTQ+ youth. Zebra Coalition operates a youth drop in center in Orlando, Florida that serves as a safe space and programming for hundreds of youth ages 13-24. Zebra Coalition also provides housing for youth experiencing homelessness. Prior to her work at Zebra Coalition, Mrs. Wilkie served as Chief Operating Officer for Harbor House of Central Florida, where she was responsible for the development and monitoring of programs for one of the largest and most comprehensive domestic abuse organizations in the United States. Mrs. Wilkie holds a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College. Mrs. Wilkie has received numerous awards for her work including Harbor House of Central Florida’s Champion of Equality and one of Orlando Magazine’s 2018 “Women of the Year.”

You can listen to this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ceBXGY8YSpA

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 this week’s new episode of the VSC Podcast VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with Dr. Kimberly Spence from the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at UCF and VSC Programs Director JoEllen Revell to chat about Autism and Community Safety: Stalking V. Inappropriate Social Skills. Come listen as we discuss the nuances of boundaries and relationships with regards to those with ASD, what makes those with ASD more likely to engage in stalking, and how VSC can help those who are in unhealthy relationships or suffering from stalking.

Dr. Kim 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.

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 also listen to this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1J9vFtuFgIg

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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.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and on this week’s new episode of the VSC Podcast VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with the Director of Outreach Services at Help Now, the Domestic Violence Shelter in Osceola County, Evelyn C. Herrera-Jackson and VSC Crisis Counselor and Victim Advocate Rosa Abraham to chat about Dual Victimization. Come learn about the commonalities of sexual violence and intimate partner violence, how intersectionality can affect a survivor’s ability to seek out services, and how we can better advocate for those that experience both sexual and domestic violence.

Evelyn C. Herrera-Jackson uses she/her pronouns and has been employed with Help Now of Osceola, Inc. since 1998.  She earned her undergraduate degree at Hofstra University and obtained a Masters of Science in Education with an emphasis in Counseling Multi-Cultural Groups from State University of NY, College at Brockport. As the Outreach Services Director for Help Now of Osceola, Inc., she has facilitated numerous workshops on domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual violence, drug addictions, and cultural diversity.

Rosa Abraham uses she/her pronouns and s a bilingual Crisis Counselor and Victim Advocate at VSC and is currently pursuing a PhD in Forensic Psychology. She is also a member of the Florida Crisis Response Team and other community task forces in central Florida in an effort to advocate for individuals healing from trauma.

You can also listen to this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rKw0IKmaNqY

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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 this week’s new episode of the VSC Podcast, VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with Planned Parenthood’s Outreach Educator Paola Ferst and Professor of Psychology at Valencia College Jorge Valladares to chat about Positive Porn. Come learn how we can talk to children about porn, how certain pornography can perpetuate rape culture, and what positive porn is and looks like.

Paola Ferst uses she/her pronouns and is an Outreach Educator and Community Liaison at Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. Paola provides medically accurate, age-appropriate and inclusive sex education with compassion and non-judgement to youth, adults, parents and social service providers.

Jorge Valladares uses he/him pronouns and is a professor of psychology at Valencia College where he teaches general psychology, developmental psychology, and human sexuality. He has masters’ degrees in general psychology and clinical mental health counseling. Jorge was also a Rollins College Social Justice pre-practicum intern with the VSC in 2019.

You can listen to this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t9tlt1SjKhM

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 this week’s new episode of the VSC Podcast, VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with UCF’s Victim Services Victim Advocate Jessica Baker and VSC Speaker’s Bureau member Sheronne Thorpe-Gilchrist to talk about College Sexual Assault. Come listen to Sheronne’s powerful story, learn about terms like “red zone” and how we can help prevent sexual violence on campus.

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.

Sheronne Thorpe-Gilchrist uses she/her pronouns and is currently working as an insurance professional. She is also a survivor of a Sexual Assault which occurred almost 25 years ago during her freshman year of college.

You can listen to this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0aW7d_T3ktM

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 thoroughly discussing a survivor’s story of 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 this week’s new episode of the VSC Podcast, VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with author, survivor, and VSC Speaker’s Bureau member Diana Oakley as well as VSC Advocate and Crisis Counselor Johnnie Kramer to talk about the role faith can have in a survivor’s healing journey. Come learn about Diana’s story, how healing after trauma is different for everyone, and how religious leaders can make safe spaces for survivors of sexual violence.

Diana Oakley uses she/her pronouns and is a professional speaker, mentor, and author. She is a member of RAINN’s Speakers Bureau (Rape Abuse Incest National Network), as well as the Victim Service Center of Central Florida’s Speakers Bureau. Diana is currently attending Valencia College to pursue a degree in nursing, where she aspires to become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. She has been the featured speaker for churches, law enforcement agencies, victims advocate groups, universities, and other businesses and organizations who work to bring public awareness of sexual assault and the effects it has on its victims.

Johnnie Kramer uses he/him pronouns and has been working in Mental Health since 2013. Johnnie has been a Victim Advocate and Crisis Counselor with the Victim Service Center for going on 3 years now. Johnnie has a passion for empowering others to overcome the traumas or difficulties afflicting them and to find their own road to recovery.

To find a copy of Diana Oakley’s book “Intended Harm” please visit her website: http://intendedharm.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

You can listen to this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eBnu-5SD-oo

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.

It is Suicide Prevention Week and in an effort to raise awareness VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with Vice President of the Mental Health Association of Central FL Charlotte Melton and former VSC therapy intern Sarah Moore to talk about Suicide Prevention. Come learn about signs and red flags of suicidal ideation, stigmas and modern language surrounding suicide, and how you and a loved one can find hope through available and supportive resources.

Charlotte Melton uses she/her pronouns and is the Vice President of the Mental Health Association of Central Florida. A passionate leader in Mental Health Advocacy, Charlotte brings with her a peer perspective and 12 years of education and direct client advocacy.

Sarah Moore uses she/her pronouns and is a former therapy intern and volunteer with the Victim Service Center and a recent Rollins College clinical mental health counseling program graduate. Her personal and clinical interests center on the role trauma, resiliency, and healing influence individual, family, and community function alike.

For immediate crisis support, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800- 273-TALK (8255) or contact the crisis text line by texting “START” to 741-741. You can also contact the Trevor Project at 1-866-488- 7386 or text “TREVOR” to 1-202-304-1200.

You can listen to this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wqea0nRUkxA

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 episode 23 of the VSC Podcast, VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell chats with two amazing employees from the Mental Health Association of Central Florida: Program Coordinator Faith Burns and Social Media Coordinator Mary Magee to talk about Mental Health Resources. Come learn about stigmas surrounding Mental Health, resources that are available, and how we can support a loved one.

Faith Burns uses she/her pronouns and has worked as one of the Program Coordinator's for the Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF) since September 2019. As of March 2020 Faith also runs MHACF's live web series known as Coping Together where her team brings on professionals in the mental health field to discuss topics relative to COVID-19 and to provide wellness tools and coping strategies to their viewers in regards to mental health. She is currently pursuing a Master's in Clinical Psychology at the University of Central Florida, is fluent in English and Spanish and strives to become a bilingual therapist, specializing in trauma and grief counseling.

Mary Magee uses she/her pronouns and graduated from University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Since 2017, she has been the Social Media Coordinator for the Mental Health Association of Central Florida. She strives to advocate for those who have experienced mental health challenges and trauma by eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health.

You can also listen to this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2AcW5Flge10

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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 episode 22 of the VSC Podcast, VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with Equality Florida’s TransAction Project Coordinator Nikole Parker and VSC Crisis Counselor and Advocate Kevin Fox to talk about Sex Workers and Sexual Violence. Come listen to Nikole and Kevin debunk myths about Sex Workers, talk about intersectionalities including the Trans Community, Modern Sex work including OnlyFans, and ways we can help support survivors of sexual assault in the sex work industry.

Nikole Parker uses she/her pronouns and is the TransAction Florida Project Coordinator, assisting with Equality Florida's statewide Transgender Inclusion Initiative. She also currently works for the onePULSE Foundation as the Stakeholder & Community Relations Manager. Nikole has sat on various non-profit boards within the community, including the LGBT+ Center Board of Directors, the Orlando United Assistance Center Advisory Board, TransAction Advisory Council, Spektrum Health Board of Directors and Peer Support Space Board of Directors.

Kevin Fox uses he/him pronouns and is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern with the state of Florida. Kevin worked as a high school teacher while receiving his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College. He has worked with adolescents with substance use issues, Equality Florida for LGBTQ+ rights, and in the UF Health Cancer Center at Orlando Health counseling and performing therapy with cancer patients and their families. 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 podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qgYsvr_3njc

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 this episode VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with Dr. Kimberly Spence from the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at UCF and VSC Programs Director JoEllen Revell to talk about Autism and Relationships. Come learn about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), relationship challenges those with ASD can face, and how we can help those with ASD if they are victimized.

Dr. Kim Spence has served as the Coordinator of Educational and Training Programs for the Center of 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, 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.

JoEllen Revell 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 also listen to this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nLAQBxSusas

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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.