Media Release

4:47 p.m.

ALACHUA COUNTY - After serving the citizens of Alachua County for 28 years, Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center is underway in creating an Advisory Council.

The Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center serves victims of all crimes in Alachua County while maintaining an emphasis on serving victims of sexual violence with 24 hour crisis intervention and support. Services to all crime victims include continued support throughout the criminal justice process, information and updates on the status of their case, individual counseling and support groups, confidential HIV testing, assistance with victims' compensation applications, and accompaniment to court proceedings. Beyond direct services to victims and their families, Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center offers community education through public awareness campaigns and free presentations to schools and other groups.

Members of the new Advisory Council will make recommendations to the County on future program policies, work to promote community awareness and education on program services and related issues, and engage in an annual review.

The Advisory Council shall be composed of eleven (11) voting citizen members, one (1) voting County Commissioner, and one alternate member. Of the eleven citizen appointments plus one alternate appointment, all shall be citizens of Alachua County and have an interest in the program. Four of the eleven citizen members must have a history of victimization.

Persons interested in being on the Advisory Council can apply online at www.alachuacounty.us/government/bocc/advisoryboard.aspx or call the Office of Victim Services at (352) 264-6760.