Services for Victims of Sexual Assault

The Behavioral and Human Services Division provides a comprehensive array of services for victims of sexual assault. The services are free to all adult and adolescent victims of crime and their significant others, and are provided at the Sexual Assault Response Center (SARC), located in the Victim Services Center Building, 403 W 10th St., Jacksonville, FL 32206.

The following specialized services are provided:

• Medical/Forensic Examinations within 72 hours of the assault
• Anonymous HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling
• Individual Therapy/Counseling
• Group Therapy
• Advocacy and support for safety, medical, emotional, legal, and economic issues
• Prevention and Education Programs
• 24 Hour Hotline (358-RAPE, or 358-7273)
• 24 Hour Sexual Assault Response Team

The sexual assault team consists of a medical director, full-time sexual assault advocates, social services aides, medical counselors and sexual assault examiners. The team is available within 45 minutes, 24 hours a day.

Medical Counselors are medical assistants and nurses trained in forensic evidence collection and rape crisis counseling; they assist the examination procedure and are first responders. Sexual Assault Examiners are advanced registered nurse practitioners and physicians trained in forensic evidence collection, victim sensitivity and expert witness testimony. A Nurse Practitioner also provides medical follow up services at a weekly clinic. The medical director provides overall supervision to the medical staff and is a licensed M.D.

SARC collaborates with Hubbard House, Inc., to provide 24-hour response for safety planning in domestic violence situations, as well as two weeks shelter for rape victims as needed. The City of Jacksonville and the Women's Center of Jacksonville provide Rape Recovery Advocacy Services to assist victims' access to services and additional therapy options.