VSC Podcast

Today is #denimday ! Denim day is an international movement that encourages people to wear denim to show they are against victim blaming and believe survivors and their stories. On this week’s podcast Join VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell as she chats with VSC Advocate Nicola Prichard and VSC Advocacy intern Rachel Stachler about Victim Blaming, why we blame the victim as a society, and ways we can properly support survivors and help change the culture.

Nicola Prichard uses she/her pronouns and graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is one of VSC’s Victim Advocates and is graduating with her Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Central Florida later next month. After graduating, she plans on working to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and intends to continue working with individuals who have experienced trauma.

Rachel Stachler uses she/her pronouns and is a graduate student at the University of Central Florida pursuing her Master’s of Social Work. She received her Bachelor’s of Social Work from Florida State University in 2021. Through FSU, Rachel obtained experience working with underserved women living at a maternity home for homeless, pregnant women and their children. Rachel is passionate about helping survivors process and heal from traumatic experiences so that they are able to have happy and fulfilling lives. Rachel is a victim advocate intern at the VSC and provides crisis counseling to clients as well as co-facilitates VSC's virtual women's support group.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/qe0kzjq8G8Q

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, 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.

Vulnerability is a strength! On this week’s podcast Join VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell as she chats with two amazing mental health professionals from Positive Behavioral Solutions Paula Lupton and Juanita Carbajal to chat about the power of genuine connection and vulnerability as it relates to healing.

Paula Lupton, LCSW uses she/her pronouns and is Head of Clinical Operations at Positive Behavioral Solutions. She has been in the field of social work for over 19 years in the Central Florida Area and is specialized in working with trauma informed systems, LGBTQ+ clients and their rights, child welfare, working with individuals in crisis, and building strong communities.  As a native of Orlando her focus has been on strengthening the community through education and increasing awareness of mental health as well as sharing her  passion for working with expressive arts as a medium for healing.  Paula is currently a fellowship student at Crealde Art school with a focus on abstract art and facilitate the Creative Conscious group bi monthly here at PBS.  Her favorite self-care activities are reading, traveling, painting, and crafting.

Juanita Carbajal, BA uses she/her/ella pronouns and is the Marketing & Community Relations Director at Positive Behavioral Solutions. She has over eight years experience working in the mental health community and is passionate about educating communities and reducing the stigma affiliated with Mental Health. Juanita is currently a graduate student in the Masters of Public Health Program at the University of Florida, and also teaches beginners yoga at Altamonte Springs Yoga studio. Her favorite self-care activities are running, traveling, Disney, and yoga.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/6Y_KPigAhWU 

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, 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 Sexual Assault Awareness Month - a time to uplift conversations around sexual violence and learn more about this incredibly important issue. Did you know Women with disabilities are 3x more likely to be physically or sexually assaulted than able-bodied women? On this week’s podcast we discuss Sexual Violence and Persons with Disabilities. Join VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell as she chats with Advocate and Central Florida CIL Ambassador Abigail Hucker and VSC Intern Ceaira Nutter to chat about sexual violence within the disability community and how we can be better supporters.

Abigail Hucker uses she/her pronouns and after suffering a stroke before birth that killed 95 percent of the right side her brain she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Though Abigail has limited use of her left side she has not let that get in the way of living a relatively normal life. Now a Central Florida resident Abigail Hucker serves as an ambassador for the Central Florida Center for Independent Living (CIL) to continue advocating for the differently abled and helping to spread disability awareness in today's society.

Ceaira Nutter uses she/her pronouns and is one of or interns at the VSC where she supports and leads the VSC Accessibility Committee - a group of professionals across different Florida agencies that service victims and survivors with the mission to ensure survivors with disabilities have proper access to those services. Ceaira is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Social Work from the University of Central Florida and is graduating in May.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/nwkmjXaPON0 

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, 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.

Today is Start By Believing Day!! We are so excited to be hosting Alison Jones-Lockwood to talk about The Start By Believing Campaign on today’s Podcast. Join VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell, VSC Executive Director Lui Damiani, and Alison to talk about the history and importance of this campaign as well as the impact believing can have on survivors when they share their stories and sexual assault prevention.

Alison Jones-Lockwood uses she/her pronouns and is nationally recognized for her expertise in designing community-specific collaborative protocols to address sexual violence. With over 20 years’ experience managing and assisting victim advocacy programs, Ms. Jones-Lockwood has trained extensively on the criminal justice response to sexual assault, including the impact of sexual assault in the aftermath. She has trained countless advocates, law enforcement personnel, and healthcare professionals in local, regional, statewide, and national trainings. Ms. Jones-Lockwood began her career working with survivors and advocates within the U.S. Navy, and has worked for rape crisis centers in California, Kansas, and Missouri

Lui Damiani uses he/him pronouns and is the Executive Director of the Victim Service Center of Central Florida, a nonprofit organization that provides 24/7 individualized services and resources to victims of sexual assault, violent crime and other traumatic circumstances.  His professional career in business and public service spans more than 30 years. He has served the Central Florida community as a County Commissioner, corporate executive, small business owner, governmental manager, television host and homeowner’s association president.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/GkpE7WQ7A4A

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, 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.

There is no correct way to respond to trauma and on this week’s Podcast VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sits down with two of VSC’s Advocacy Interns Nicola Prichard and Rachel Stachler to talk about common reactions to trauma, myths and stigmas survivors face in regards to trauma responses, and ways we can be better supporters through normalizing the individuality of trauma and healing.

Rachel Stachler uses she/her pronouns and is a graduate student at the University of Central Florida pursuing her Master’s of Social Work. She received her Bachelor’s of Social Work from Florida State University in 2021. Through FSU, Rachel obtained experience working with underserved women living at a maternity home for homeless, pregnant women and their children. Rachel is passionate about helping survivors process and heal from traumatic experiences so that they are able to have happy and fulfilling lives. Rachel is a victim advocate intern at the VSC and provides crisis counseling to clients as well as co-facilitates VSC's virtual women's support group.

Nicola Prichard uses she/her pronouns and graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is one of VSC’s advocacy interns and is currently a graduate student in the Master’s of Social Work Program at the University of Central Florida. After graduating, she plans on working to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and intends to continue working with individuals who have experienced trauma.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/DDwPhEP0FEE

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, 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.

On this week’s Podcast we are excited to be joined by Author Karen Moe to chat about her work Victim: A Feminist Manifesto from a Fierce Survivor. Join Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell and VSC Program Director JoEllen Revell who sit down with Karen Moe to chat about her book, what she wants readers to gain from her writing, and how she chose her title as well as hear her read an excerpt!

Karen Moe uses she/her pronouns and is an art critic, visual and performance artist, author and feminist activist. Her work focuses on systemic violence in patriarchy: be it gender, race, the environment or speciesism. Her art criticism has been published internationally in magazines, anthologies and artist catalogs in English and Spanish and she has exhibited and performed across Canada, in the US and in Mexico. She is the founder of the Vigilance Fierce Feminisms Magazine. Karen lives in Mexico City and British Columbia, Canada.

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/visfDe_kmLM  

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

Victim: A Feminist Manifesto from a Fierce Survivor is available for presale on: Amazon, IndieBound, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Google Play, and Bookshop.org

You can find out more about Karen's book at https://karenmoeauthor.com/ and about her upcoming US April tour for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

at https://karenmoeauthor.com/events/. When you sign up for her newsletter to keep up on more podcasts, interviews, readings and promotions and get the first 21-page preview.

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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.

On the 104th Episode of the VSC Podcast join VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell as she chats with DV/IPV Expert Dr. CarolAnn Peterson and Help Now of Osceola’s Outreach Services Director Evelyn Herrera-Jackson to chat about Strangulation - an often overlooked and extremely dangerous aspect of Intimate Partner Violence.

Dr. Peterson uses she/her pronouns, is a former Full-time Lecturer at the University of Southern California, and joined the School of Social Work in January 2004 where she taught a course on domestic violence that she created, and taught leadership, diversity, policy & advocacy, and global violence against women.  She is the author of “Interpersonal Aggression: Complexities of domestic and intimate partner abuse” and is a certified National Expert Witness on Strangulation Prevention. Dr. Peterson was appointed to the Los Angeles City Mayor’s DV Steering Committee. This committee oversaw the research design of a needs assessment, with funding provided by Blue Shield of California Foundation; and reviewed the final report.

Evelyn Hererra-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 Multicultural 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.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/BROvOnvsMQA

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

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

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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.

How are social media platforms like TikTok being used to groom children? Come join VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell as she chats with Children’s Advocacy Center’s Ann Pimentel-Kerr and former VSC Intern Mahnaz Asif to chat about Online Grooming, what signs to look out for, the effects of sexual abuse, and ways we can help prevent grooming and abuse.

Ann Pimentel-Kerr uses she/her pronouns and is the Children’s Advocacy Center Specialist at the Children Advocacy Center in Central Florida. Ann has over 25 years of experience working with children & families, and in the social services/child welfare arena. Her experience includes working with children and adults in psychiatric facilities, DCF child abuse investigations, supervision, and many years as a child welfare trainer.

Mahnaz Asif uses she/her pronouns and is a third year graduate student at Rollins completing her masters in clinical mental health counseling. She completed her pre-practicum therapy internship here at the VSC. Mahnaz recently wrote a blog for the VSC on Online Grooming and is passionate about preventing child sexual abuse. In the future, she plans to work with children and families experiencing trauma.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/UqZpYrOUvsw

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

Check out Mahnaz’s blog here: https://www.victimservicecenter.org/grooming-how-can-we-protect-children-from-online-grooming/

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

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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.

How can we better support survivors? Come join VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell as she chats with VSC Victim Advocate Priscilla Aquino and VSC Therapist Orialis Sosa to chat revictimization and its possible impacts, what we can say and avoid saying when someone discloses about their trauma, and ways supporters can practice self-care.

Priscilla Aquino uses she/her pronouns and is a Bilingual Victim Advocate and Crisis Counselor at the VSC who is fluent in Spanish. She obtained her Master’s in Social Work from Kean University in NJ and has over 20 years of experience working with adolescence families, and victims of crime. Priscilla is very passionate about helping people heal from their trauma and rediscover their inner-strength as well as educating others. She hopes to be the voice for those who are unable to advocate for themselves.

Orialis Sosa uses she/her pronouns and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida. She earned her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Central Florida. Orialis’ background consists of providing counseling and victim advocacy support to survivors of crime and trauma. In her current role, she provides counseling support to high school students and is one of VSC’s contract therapists.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/d7uoVLB-vLM

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

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

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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 Black History Month and on this week’s Podcast we are joined by Gail Gardner who is making history! Come join VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell as she chats with VSC Program Director JoEllen Revell and VSC Speaker’s Bureau Member Gail Gardner to chat about Gail’s Law and how Gail is spearheading and advocating for the rights of survivors of sexual assault.

Gail Gardner is a member of VSC's Speaker's Bureau and is an author of two books: "Woman to Woman: Gleaning Inspirational Insight from our Biblical Mothers" and "Healing Scriptures: Declaring and Affirming God's Love." As a survivor of Sexual Assault and Abuse, Gail is passionate about mentoring women through engagement, faith, encouragement, inspiration, and empowerment.

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/P2m9bZjHDys

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

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

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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.