Rape Recovery Team

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 Women's Center of Jacksonville's Rape Recovery Team (RRT) works to streamline and simplify this process so that victims and their families can feel that recovery is possible. The Rape Recovery Team responds 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 female and male victims age 12 and up:

Crisis intervention services;
Information to assist victims understand 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

RRT staff work collaboratively with the Sexual Assault Response Center, the State Attorney’s Office and local Sheriff's Offices and Police Departments throughout Duval, Bake and Nassau Counties to ensure that victims receive the most comprehensive services available.

Promote Truth Web-based Program

Through this web-based program, trained advocates provide support and information on sexual violence issues for teens and their communities. This website, www.promotetruth.org was created to provide information about laws, statistics, myths and facts, news, links, message boards and anonymous advocacy. The most frequently asked question by teens on this site is some version of "Was I raped? Is what happened to me considered rape?" Teens can use the website to gather information or to send an anonymous message to a trained Advocate who will respond within 48 hours.

Rape Recovery Team Volunteers

Volunteers are central to the work of the Rape Recovery Team. All Volunteer Advocates complete at least 30 hours of multidisciplinary training and may serve as Advocates or they may assist the Rape Recovery Team in other areas.

To volunteer, please all the Women's Center of Jacksonville at 904-722-3000 or download the Volunteer Application and send it in to WCJ.

Rape Recovery Team Rape Education

Advocates on the Rape Recovery Team provide educational presentations on rape and relationship violence prevention throughout the Jacksonville community. This includes presentations specifically designed for:

College and university students;
Underserved populations, especially racial, cultural and language minority populations
Elderly
Professional staff in colleges and universities, medical facilities, county health departments and law enforcement agencies.

Stop 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 and Hubbard House, 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.

Rape Risk Reduction Education Program / Community Education Outreach

The Goal of the RRRE program is to generate dialogue amongs its 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. RRRE presentations are being made throughout the community at a variety of venues to middle and high school students, college students, helping professionals in local agencies, faith-based organizations, healthcare organizations and others.