Florida

Description: Another Way, Inc. offers counseling, support, and safe shelter to survivors of domestic and sexual violence; while providing a positive alternative to violence through community education. ​

Counties Covered: Columbia, Dixie, Levy, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, and Suwannee

Facilities Served: Columbia Correctional Institute and Annex (201), Lake City Correctional Facility (219), Cross City Correctional Institute and Work Camp (211), Lancaster Correctional Institute and Work Camp (281), Hamilton Correctional Institute and Annex (215), Mayo Annex (223), and Suwannee Correctional Institute, Work Camp, and Annex.

Work with: Another Way, Inc. offers services to all survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. We also provide services to secondary survivors which include family and friends.

Services for survivors during incarceration include: The services that Another Way, Inc. can provide to incarcerated survivors are as follows: Crisis Intervention through our 24/7 helpline, by mail or email. Advocacy and Accompaniment to forensic exams and court hearing for sexual assault cases. Informational and referrals to assist with any survivor needs.

In order to access services, incarcerated survivors should: It is easiest to contact Another Way, Inc. through our 24/7 Helpline or by letter in the mail.

Services for survivors after release include: Once released the survivor can access all of our CORE services which include: 24-Hour Helpline, Information and Referral, Crisis Intervention, Advocacy, Accompaniment, and Support Groups.

Services for loved ones include: All services are available to both the survivor and their loved ones.

Fees: All services offered are free and confidential

Additional Information: If the individual seeking services has a victim of theirs already in our services we cannot provide services due to it being a conflict of interest however, we will provide additional referrals to other agencies where they can seek services.

The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV) is a statewide nonprofit organization committed to survivors of sexual violence and the rape crisis programs who serve them. With 31 rape crisis centers across the state, FCASV is Florida’s central resource on sexual violence issues. FCASV provides information, assistance, and leadership on all aspects of sexual violence, including rape, child abuse, stalking, and sexual harassment.

Service area: Florida
Work with: Survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones, sexual assault programs, and allied professional groups
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Information and referrals to the nearest rape crisis center via phone, mail, or email and a directory of affiliated rape crisis centers on the FCASV website. Florida callers to the hotline will be routed to their local rape crisis center; non-Florida callers can speak to a staff member (during office hours) who can provide information and referrals, advocacy, and support to callers in crisis. Survivors can also access important information, such as a directory of rape crisis centers and brochures, on FCASV’s website.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Free
Additional information: Each year, FCASV hosts a statewide conference and trainings, bringing state-of-the-art information from around the nation to Florida. FCASV provides technical assistance to agencies seeking to improve their services for rape survivors, and provides up-to-date information to the public. FCASV provee servicios en español, incluyendo la línea telefónica para sobrevivientes en crisis — (888) 956-7273 — y folletos informativos en su página web, www.fcasv.org/publications/la-violencia-sexual.

The Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline is the statewide resource for HIV/AIDS-related information, community referrals, supportive telephone counseling, and free statewide numbers for crisis counseling. The hotline provides an extensive database for statewide referrals and HIV/AIDS/Tuberculosis/Sexually Transmitted Diseases information. The hotlines are available only within the state of Florida and are closed on Sundays and state holidays. Recorded information is available after hours.

Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline (Línea de Ayuda) es un recurso estatal que ofrece información sobre el VIH/SIDA, referidos a servicios comunitarios, consejería de apoyo a través del teléfono, y consejería en crisis. La línea de información provee una extensa base de datos para referidos a centros con información sobre VIH/SIDA, Tuberculosis y otras enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Las líneas de ayuda están disponibles solo dentro del estado de Florida y están cerradas los domingos y días feriados. Información grabada está disponible durante horas de cierre.

The Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Program provides services to adult and minor victims of sexual violence.

Counties Covered: Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Washington

Facilities Served: Apalachee Correctional, Calhoun Correctional, Gulf Correctional, Holmes Correctional, Jackson Correctional, Northwest Florida Reception Center, Okaloosa Correctional, Walton Correctional, Liberty Correctional, Madison Correctional, Taylor Correctional, Jefferson Correctional, Franklin Correctional, Wakulla Correctional, Gadsden Re-Entry Center, Quincy Annex, Bay County Jail, Jackson County Jail, Gulf County Jail, Washington County Jail, Calhoun County Jail, Holmes County Jail

Work with: All survivors of sexual assault and secondary survivors of sexual assault, including family members

Services for survivors during incarceration include: Accompaniment during forensic exams, accompaniment during law enforcement interviews, crisis intervention via the 24-hour PREA Hotline, crisis intervention via mail at 210 E 11^th Street, Panama City, FL 32401, information and referral, support group at the local Bay County Jail

In order to access services, incarcerated survivors should: Contact the Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Program by mail at 210 E 11^th Street, Panama City, FL 32401 or call the 24-hour PREA Hotline (850) 832-3905

Services for survivors after release include: Referrals to supporting local agencies, counseling/therapy, and support groups

Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention, referrals to supporting local agencies, counseling/therapy

Fees: Free

Additional Information: Translation services are available for non-English speaking survivors or hard-of-hearing survivors

The Mission of Peace River Center’s Victim Services’ Program is to reduce the incidence of sexual violence and domestic/family violence, as well as promote safety and a higher quality of life through shelter services, supportive programming, counseling, advocacy, education and outreach within the Tri-County area.

Service Areas: Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties
Work with: Survivors of sexual assault and sexual abuse and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: mail correspondence, hospital accompaniment during forensic exams, legal and medical advocacy, in-person counseling, crisis intervention and counseling via hotline, information, referrals, and references

Services for survivors after release include: mail correspondence, hospital accompaniment during forensic exams, legal and medical advocacy, in-person counseling, group counseling / support groups, crisis intervention and counseling via hotline, information, referrals, and references
Services for loved ones include: in-person counseling, crisis intervention and counseling via hotline, information, referrals, and references

Fees: Free
Additional Information: The Rape Recovery and Resource Center also provides services in Creole and Spanish. Se ofrece servicios en español.

The mission of Refuge House is to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and to their children and families, as well as to eliminate such violence through community education and public advocacy.

Service area: Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Taylor, Leon, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties
Work with: Survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones.
Services for survivors during incarceration include: accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews, hospital accompaniment during forensic exams, in-person counseling, information, referrals, and references, crisis intervention and counseling via hotline, group counseling / support groups.
Services for survivors after release include: information, referrals, and references, crisis intervention and counseling via hotline, group counseling / support groups, in-person counseling, legal and medical advocacy, hospital accompaniment during forensic exams, accompaniment to courts and during law enforcement interviews.
Services for loved ones include: information, referrals, and references, crisis intervention and counseling via hotline, group counseling / support groups, in-person counseling.
Fees: All listed services are free of cost. Transitional housing services are fee based.
Additional Information: We have just launched a project called ‘Inside and Out’ which seeks to serve survivors living in confinement at four project jail sites (Madison, Leon, Franklin, and Wakulla county jails).The advocate for Wakulla will begin working in May but will have to go through appropriate clearance and training. Advocates at the other sites have launched individual counseling and support groups. In addition, services will be offered to family members on the outside and services will be offered to those survivors being released and reentering the community.

SunServe is dedicated to providing a full range of high quality, affordable outpatient mental health treatment, education, and outreach services targeted especially to meet the needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in South Florida.

Service area: SunServe can serve all Florida residents, but the only office is located in Broward County
Work with: LGBT survivors and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Intake, information, and referrals by phone or by mail.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above, as well as individual professional counseling and therapy, couples counseling, therapy groups, support groups, family and youth services, community education, outreach, and the world’s first LGBT senior day care center.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Most services are free (donations welcomed for group sessions). Counseling fees are based on a sliding scale, but no one will be turned away if they are unable to pay.

The Women’s Center of Jacksonville provides a wide range of comprehensive services to survivors of sexual abuse in Jacksonville. On call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, advocates provide crisis intervention services, assist survivors in understanding their rights and options, and offer support throughout the medical and criminal justice processes to ensure survivors’ recovery.

Service area: Baker, Duval, and Nassau Counties
Work with: All survivors of sexual assault as well as affected family members and friends
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Advocacy, including crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline, by mail or by email; hospital accompaniment during medical forensic exams after sexual assault; court accompaniment and legal accompaniment for sexual assault cases; information and referrals.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above, individual and group psychotherapy, as well as couples and family counseling.
Services for loved ones include: Counseling, information, and referrals.
Fees: Free

The Bureau of Inmate Grievance Appeals is responsible for providing inmates with a channel for the administrative settlement of legitimate complaints. All grievances are reviewed, evaluated, appropriately investigated, and responded to. The grievance process assists the department by providing an avenue for internal resolution of problems, improving the lines of communication and identifying good practices to share with others. Additionally, the grievance procedure provides a written record in the event of subsequent judicial or administrative review. Utilization of this process produces a safer environment for staff and inmates. The bureau continually strives to provide inmates an impartial, consistent, and expeditious mechanism for resolving grievances.

The Office of the Inspector General is responsible for criminal and internal affairs investigations, contract systems analysis, internal audits and safety and risk management programs. These functions are carried out within the Bureau of State Investigations and the Bureau of Internal Audit. The Bureau of State Investigations oversees several related activities, including the “Prison Tips” program, which collects criminal intelligence on criminal activity, both inside and outside the Department, from inmates, probationers, and other persons who may have knowledge of this type of activity. The program allows inmates to provide anonymous tips via telephones located at prison facilities, and provides a toll-free number that can be called from outside the facilities. The Use of Force Unit reviews all incidents of physical force at state correctional facilities to ensure compliance with established rules, procedures and statutes.

The Florida Justice Institute strives to improve the living conditions of people incarcerated in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities by providing free legal services. The Florida Justice Institute represents individuals, engages in class action and other impact litigation, educates the public about incarceration, and provides technical assistance to attorneys throughout the country.

Willing to represent/consider cases from: Florida state prisoners and people incarcerated in county jails and juvenile detention facilities.
Legal assistance offered includes: Assistance is generally limited to cases regarding conditions of confinement, including inadequate medical and mental health care, disability discrimination, excessive force, sexual abuse, and other violations. All issues concerning individual prisoners and prison conditions should be sent via mail. No post-conviction relief cases challenging a criminal conviction are accepted. Prisoners seeking legal assistance are encouraged to send a letter to the address above, and to enclose copies of any relevant documents and grievances. It is best not to send originals.
Fees:  Free
Additional Information: The Florida Justice Institute also provides services in Spanish. Se ofrece servicios en español.

The Florida Institutional Legal Services Project (FILS Project) of Florida Legal Services is a statewide non-profit legal organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of people in prisons, jails, detention, and juvenile facilities. As part of that work, they provide legal advice and administrative assistance to survivors of sexual abuse who are incarcerated in Florida. They have a particular interest in the fight against sexual violence.

The Incarcerated Survivors Project provides legal assistance to people who have experienced sexual abuse in Florida’s state prisons, jails, and detention centers, including advice about legal rights and PREA reporting options, assisting with inquiries about PREA investigations, and providing advocacy related to mental health treatment, medical care, other services, and facilitating referrals to community resources for counseling.

Their  legal services are free and confidential. 

Service Area: Florida
Work with: Individuals who have experienced sexual abuse while incarcerated
Services for survivors during incarceration: Advise survivors about their legal rights and reporting options. Assist with reporting and monitor the investigation. Advocate with correctional agencies to enforce survivors’ rights. Advocate for counseling, medical care, and other services while incarcerated. Provide referrals to community counseling resources. Provide self-help resources and attorney referrals to survivors who wish to file a civil lawsuit.
Fees: Free

The Volunteers Lawyers Project is a Florida Justice Institute project which helps people with current civil claims find pro-bono representation. Survivors who have not yet filed a claim with the Southern District of Florida Federal Court, should contact the Florida Justice Institute instead via mail, phone, or email.

Willing to represent/consider cases from: Cases filed by pro-se plaintiffs (someone who is representing him or herself in court, without a lawyer) are referred to the Volunteer Lawyers’ Project (VLP) by the Southern District Court of Florida. A determination is then made as to whether the plaintiff is qualified for free services.
Legal assistance offered includes: VLP obtains pro-bono (free) legal representation for qualified pro-se plaintiffs who have filed cases in the Southern District Court of Florida. In addition, VLP accepts mail from prisoners and phone calls from families of prisoners who are seeking information.
Fees:  Free
Additional Information: The Volunteer Lawyers Project also provides services in Spanish. Se ofrece servicios en Español.