VSC Podcast Victim Service Center

Violence against Black women is a complex issue that encompasses various forms of violence, including sexual violence, domestic violence, and its impact on mental health.

Sexual violence against Black women often goes unrecognized and underreported due to societal stigmas and victim-blaming attitudes. Black women are more likely to experience sexual violence from intimate partners or acquaintances than from strangers. These experiences can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and trauma, which can affect their mental health and overall well-being.

Black women are also disproportionately affected by domestic violence, with rates being more than double those of white women. Domestic violence can have long-lasting effects on their physical and mental health, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The impact of violence on the mental health of Black women can be exacerbated by the intersection of racism and sexism. The stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community can make it challenging for Black women to seek help or support. They may also face additional barriers due to their gender, race, and socioeconomic status.

In this video, VSC's Violence Prevention Educator, Hannah Jenarine, speaks with Lisa Alexander, Natalee Summers, and Leslie Pender to further the conversation!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast, we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy headspace or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.



#ViolenceAgainstBlackWomen #BlackWomenMatter #DomesticViolence #SexualAssault #MentalHealthAwareness #BreakTheStigma #EndTheSilence #SpeakOut #SupportSurvivors #RacismAndSexism #Intersectionality

Florida's housing crisis has been a growing concern in recent years, affecting a wide range of communities throughout the state. Among those hit the hardest are victims of domestic and sexual violence, who often face unique challenges when seeking safe and stable housing. In this podcast, we will explore the root causes of Florida's housing crisis, including systemic poverty, discrimination, and limited affordable housing options. We will also examine the ways in which the housing crisis has a disproportionate impact on victims of domestic and sexual violence, who are often forced to remain in abusive situations due to lack of affordable housing options.

Joe spent the first two years of his legal career as an Equal Justice Works Fellow practicing Community Lawyering for immigrant families. He has since transitioned such efforts into housing discrimination enforcement and outreach, where he manages Florida Legal Services' Fair Housing Initiative Project via the HUD funded FHOI/EOI programs. He has a bachelor's degree from DePaul University, a M.A. from the University of Colorado in Public Policy, and a J.D. from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law.

Since graduating from the University of Florida in 2007, Erika Recek has spent most of her legal career working in public interest law, ensuring that individuals in vulnerable situations have a voice in the judicial process. She has worked at various legal aid organizations, helping survivors of domestic violence with legal issues involving injunctions, family law related matters, housing, and consumer law issues. Erika joined Florida Legal Services in 2018, where she has continued to assist survivors of domestic violence in her role as Director of Survivor Advocacy while also engaging in systemic impact advocacy for vulnerable populations. 

#FloridaHousingCrisis #DomesticViolence #SexualViolence #AffordableHousing

Previously on this podcast we presented a four-part mini-podcasting series focusing on issues affecting Black and African American Communities, and ways we can advocate for Black survivors of Trauma and Sexual Violence. The mini-series covered topics like mental health within Black communities, anti-racism and therapy, racial trauma and black survivors, and implicit bias. On this week's podcast, we will be taking a step back and discussing Mental Healthcare and the BIPOC Community. Join VSC Community Engagement Coordinator, Libba Van Eepoel, as they chat with Therapist Natasha Ganesh-D'Arcangelo and VSC Therapy Intern, May Figueroa, to chat about client and counselor representation, how lack of access can impact BIPOC individuals seeking mental healthcare, how stigmas can play a role in that, and advice on how to find a therapist.



Natasha Ganesh-D’Arcangelo (she/her) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida, Oregon and Washington, a Florida Qualified Supervisor, a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). She works with adolescents and adults in her role as a staff therapist for Headspace Health. She operates from a cultural humility perspective and is an ally of the LGTBQIA+ community. She is especially passionate about working with clients who are struggling with trauma and anxiety and does public speaking on the topic of burnout.



Mary Figueroa (she/her) is currently pursuing an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a certificate in Family and Relationship Therapy. She is a therapy intern at VSC, and serves local counseling associations in FL as a Student Liaison for the Mental Health Counselors of Central Florida (MHCCF), a Marketing Coordinator for the Central Florida Association for Family and Marriage Therapy (CFAMFT). She is trained as a Clinical Trauma Professional, has completed training in Mindfulness Stress Reduction Techniques, and most recently started EMDR training. She believes that every individual holds a capacity for resilience and that those personal strengths are already within, and strives to create a compassionate, non-judgmental space that honors diverse and intersecting identities, and allows for a collaborative alliance.



Books mentioned:



The Racial Healing Handbook by Anneliese A. Singh



Anti-Racist Psychotherapy by David Archer



White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better by Regina Jackson and Saira Rao



See more resources mentioned on our Facebook page, VSCFlorida!



You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!



Want to make a difference? Visit victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.



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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956 7273. By contacting the National hotline at 1 800 656 4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

It’s possible you’ve heard of ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and the impact they have on people in their adult lives. The CDC started conducting ACE studies in the mid-90s and today we know that nearly 60% of adults have experienced one type of ACE. On the newest episode of the VSC Podcast, we sit down with Center for Child Counseling's National Outreach Coordinator, Cherie Benjoseph, and Nida Paul, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Center for Child Counseling, to talk about what ACEs are, how trauma impacts the way we parent, and some things parents who are survivors can do to help teach regulation to children while also taking care of themselves.



Cherie Benjoseph, LCSW (she/her) is the National Outreach Coordinator for the Center for Child Counseling, of Palm Beach County, FL.  She is an expert on child sexual abuse primary prevention, with a focus on customizing training and curriculum for school, camp, and other youth serving organizations as well as reaching parents with practical tools to keep their children safe from child sexual abuse and exploitation.



Nida Paul (she/her) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor and Registered Play Therapist who has worked with children and families since 2010. Nida is passionate about working with children and families who experienced trauma and helping them heal from these adverse experiences. She provides individual, group, dyadic, and family therapy and focuses on providing trauma focused treatments to children and parents who suffer from post-traumatic stress and attachment issues. She also provides trainings for caregivers and providers in variety of topics including impact of Trauma and ACEs on children to help adults promote resiliency in children.



Interested in learning more? The Center for Child Counseling provides free online workshops, tips sheets, advice for ways to talk to children, resources for parents and children, as well as information on trauma-informed care and their KidSafe program.



You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!



Want to make a difference? Visit victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.



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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

In this episode, VSC's Violence Prevention Educator, Hannah Jenarine, and Senior Advocate, Jocelyn Rayas, explore the power of assertive communication for survivors of violence. We discuss the impact of trauma on communication and provide practical tips and strategies for survivors to find their voice and assert their needs and boundaries. Our goal is to empower survivors to reclaim control over their lives through assertiveness and to promote healing and justice. Whether you are a survivor yourself, or supporting someone you care about, this video will provide you with valuable insights and skills to navigate life's challenges with confidence and resilience.



#assertivecommunication 

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast, we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy headspace or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

In this episode, VSC's Violence Prevention Educator, Hannah Jenarine speaks with VSC's Crisis Counselor, Nicola Prichard on what toxic masculinity is and why it matters. We explore the negative impact of toxic masculinity on not only men, but also on the society as a whole. We delve into the various ways in which toxic masculinity manifests itself in everyday life, from the pressure to conform to traditional gender roles to the suppression of emotions and vulnerability. We also examine the damaging effects of toxic masculinity on mental health and relationships. The video also provides insights on how to recognize and challenge toxic masculinity, and how to promote a healthier, more positive understanding of masculinity. This is a must-watch for anyone looking to better understand the impact of toxic masculinity and how to work towards creating a more equitable and healthy society for all.

Link: https://ncadv.org/STATISTICS

#toxicmasculinity #genderroles 



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Trigger Warning: In this podcast, we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy headspace or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.