SANFORD, Fla. — The Victim Service Center of Central Florida, which helps people who have endured sexual violence and abuse get the services they need to heal, on Wednesday announced the addition of a satellite office at the Florida Department of Health's Sanford office. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Victim Service Center has added a satellite office in Sanford

  • The expansion will help make access to assistance easier 

  • Survivors can receive medical exams, medication, and counseling 

  • More information is available at 407-500-HEAL or on the VSC website.

Victim-turned-survivor-and-thriver Rachel Sines said the facility can help a lot of people. 

Like many Central Floridians, she has become a master of working from home as a project manager.

“I help with managing resources, scheduling, budget, lots of really boring things like that,” Sines said. 

Unfortunately, her life has been anything but boring, ever since she came home one day 14 years ago and found a man inside her home with a gun.

“Basically, I was robbed in my home, I was sexually assaulted in my home while at gunpoint," Sines said. 

After she got away and called 911, law enforcement was able to get her to the VSC immediately, she said. 

“One of the first things that the VSC did for me was give me back a change of clothes,” Sines says. “You know, because all of my clothes were taken into evidence.” 

The VSC provided her with many other services, too, such as a medical examination, medication, and group and individual counseling from then on. VSC even provided services for her family. 

Getting assistance immediately after the sexual assault helped Sines tremendously, she says.

“My healing was able to start Day 1," she said. 

That kind of quick access is exactly why she says it’s vital for the VSC to expand in Central Florida.

“It puts our services in closer proximity to the residents in Seminole County,” said VSC Executive Director Lui Damiani. “... It’s really critical that we have facilities like this that are convenient, yet maintain that privacy and confidentiality that our clients need.” 

When Sines is not working nowadays, she spends a lot of her time taking care of her 2-year-old daughter — something she said she doesn’t think could’ve happened without the services the VSC provided her.

“I consider myself a survivor and a thriver and not necessarily a victim,” Sines said. “You are stronger than you think you are, and you can do it. You can make it through.”

Sines says no one should feel ashamed or embarrassed to get help for sexual violence.

If you or someone you know needs VSC’s services, call 407-500-HEAL or visit its website.