VSC had a robust staff participation in the FCASV’s Biennial Summit held June 13-15 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. 10 VSC employee’s attended the Summit and received specialized training focused on working with victims of sexual violence. This year The Summit focused on how to best serve survivors across all disciplines, causes, genders, faiths, and colors while providing opportunities for those involved in caring to connect, re-energize, refocus, and stand in solidarity with survivors.
In addition, VSC is proud that two of our supervisory staff members were also trainers selected to present at the Summit. Brandi, Lead Therapist, facilitated Sexual Trauma and Mass Shootings: Clinical Considerations. Mass shooting casualties have increased across the U.S. in recent years resulting in experiences of trauma for survivors, bystanders, and vicarious trauma in helping professionals. Mass shootings experienced directly or indirectly may be especially traumatic for individuals with a history of sexual trauma, resulting in increased depressive symptoms and decreased belief in the benevolence of the world. Researchers and scholars call for increased awareness regarding symptom presentation and therapeutic considerations for sexual trauma survivors following mass shootings.
Rhonda, Lead Advocate, co-facilitated the PREA Coordination with Your Local Rape Crisis Center with James Kenny, Osceola County Corrections Department. The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) requires that corrections facilities interact with their local rape crisis center to ensure that appropriate services are available to inmate victims of sexual abuse. The corrections facility can also be a good community partner and offer assistance to the community SART team. This interaction between the agencies can be used to provide valuable services to the inmate population. This workshop focuses on how our two agencies have successfully put this partnership to work.
