Rape Recovery Team

You can reach a Rape Recovery Team Advocate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling the Rape Crisis Hotline: 904-721-7273.

Our mission is to support and empower survivors of sexual violence by promoting the restoration of decision-making and control to the survivors, by advocating for the rights, dignity and respect of survivors and through community education and inter-agency collaboration and cooperation.

The Rape Recovery Team (RRT) serves ALL victims of sexual violence – women and men – all ages, classes and creed, regardless of abilities, sexual orientation or gender identity. Our services are open and our work together is confidential.

Sexual Violence changes a victim's view of the world. Whether or not the victim suffers any physical injuries, the emotional impact of the violence can be severe. Recovery can seem like an endless journey. Emotions such as fear, shame and confusion continue long after the violence ends. While experiencing these emotions, victims must deal with the police, medical staff, lawyers, insurance companies and family members. Throughout all of this they struggle to hold their lives together.

The RRT works to streamline and simplify this process so that victims and their families feel that recovery is possible. Our advocates respond quickly and compassionately to survivors of sexual violence whether or not they have chosen to report the violence to the police. On call 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, trained advocates provide the following services to ALL victims age 12 and up:

• Crisis intervention services
• Information to assist victims in understanding their rights and options
• Advocacy and accompaniment through the medical treatment and legal process
• Emotional support necessary for recovery
• Support services to family and friends of victims

For those choosing to report, the RRT works collaboratively with the Sexual Assault Response Center, the State Attorney’s Office and local Sheriff's Offices and Police Departments throughout Duval, Baker and Nassau Counties to ensure that victims receive the most comprehensive services available. For those choosing NOT to report, we have an extensive network of community partners who assist us in assuring a network of care for our clients, so no individual faces this alone.

Prevention Education
The Prevention Education curriculums generate dialogue among participants that raises awareness of sexual violence issues, develops an understanding of vulnerability and empowers them to take action in their own lives and within the community to reduce the risk of sexual violence. Prevention Education presentations are being made throughout the community to a variety of audiences including, but not limited to, middle and high school students, college students, helping professionals in local agencies, faith-based organizations, healthcare organizations, substance abuse facilities and others.

To schedule a Prevention Education presentation, please contact Martha Marin by phone at (904) 722-3000 x208 or email: mmarin@womenscenterofjax.org.

Community Outreach
Advocates on the RRT provide informational presentations designed to raise awareness with regard to sexual violence and the services available for those who have experienced such violence. Presentations are conducted throughout the Jacksonville community at:

• Colleges and universities
• Victim Service Agencies
• Human Service Agencies
• Hospitals
• Health Departments
• Law Enforcement Agencies

To schedule a Community Outreach presentation, please contact Tina Vaughn by phone at (904) 722-3000 x209 or email: tvaughn@womenscenterofjax.org.

Stop Sexual Violence Against Elders
Stop Violence Against Elders, a special project of the Rape Recovery Team, is a collaboration between the Women's Center of Jacksonville, Hubbard House, ElderSource and the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office, providing innovative training and education to professionals in the fields of law enforcement, criminal justice, victim services, elder-care facilities, and elder-serving agencies, on recognizing, addressing, investigating, and prosecuting cases of sexual and/or domestic violence against elders.

This unique program also provides presentations to elders in the general population, whether independent or in assisted living, and support services to elders who have been victimized.

To schedule a Stop Sexual Violence Against Elders presentation, please contact Tina Vaughn by phone at (904) 722-3000 x209 or email: tvaughn@womenscenterofjax.org.

Rape Recovery Team Volunteers/Interns
Volunteers and Interns are central to the work of the Rape Recovery Team. All Volunteer/Intern Advocates complete at least 30 hours of multidisciplinary training and may serve as on-call advocates responding face-to-face with victims and/or staffing our Rape Crisis Hotline. Volunteers/Interns are also needed for administrative duties and event planning.

To volunteer or intern, please contact Brianne Vallenari by phone at (904) 722-3000 x210 or email: bvallenari@womenscenterofjax.org or download the Volunteer Application and send it in to the Women's Center of Jacksonville.