​Mission Statement

To empower victims of violent crimes by offering a safe, compassionate space for healing, while striving for justice and community awareness. 

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You Are Not Alone — We Are Here to Help

If you or someone you care about has experienced violence or a traumatic event, support is available. Our services are free, confidential, and centered on your needs and choices. You decide what help you want and when.

We are here to listen, support, and help you move forward at your own pace.

How We Support You

24/7 Crisis Support

You can reach out anytime — day or night.

  • Immediate emotional support during a crisis
  • Advocates who can meet you at hospitals, crime scenes, or law enforcement locations
  • Compassionate guidance during difficult moments
  • Someone to stand with you so you are not alone

👉 You choose what happens next. We are here to help you feel safe.

Advocacy & Legal Support

We help you understand your options and support your decisions.

  • Someone to go with you to court
  • Help applying for Victim Compensation
  • Support with Injunctions for Protection (restraining orders)
  • Safety planning for you and your family
  • Information about your rights and available resources

👉 You are always in control of your choices.

MEDICAL & FORENSIC CARE

Specialized healthcare and support after sexual assault — whether it happened recently or some time ago.

Medical & Forensic Care — Within 5 Days

If you experienced a sexual assault within the past five days, you can meet with a specially trained forensic nurse in a private, supportive setting. The visit is for you and about you, with a focus on your health, safety, and well-being.

You may have heard this type of visit called a forensic exam, sexual assault forensic exam, rape exam, rape kit, or sexual assault kit. These terms are often used to describe the same type of care, but they don't tell the whole story. This is first and foremost a healthcare visit — a chance to have your health and medical needs addressed, ask questions, understand your options, and decide what feels right for you. If you choose, the visit can also include documentation and the collection of samples that may preserve information related to the assault.

A specially trained Advocate will also be there for you. Your Advocate can help you understand your rights, answer questions about the legal system and what may happen next, and provide support throughout the healthcare visit. Their support doesn’t end when the visit does — your Advocate can continue to support you afterward.

During your visit, you can:

  • Talk with the nurse about what happened and any health concerns you have
  • Have your health and medical needs addressed
  • Be checked to make sure your body is okay
  • Learn about options to document the assault and preserve potential information or samples (“evidence”) from your body
  • Ask questions and choose which parts of the exam feel right for you
  • Pause, skip, or stop any part of the exam at any time

The nurse will explain each step and move at your pace. You are in control of what happens during your exam.

You do not have to report to law enforcement to receive care. Information or samples collected during the exam may support an investigation if you choose to report, or may be securely stored if you are not ready or do not want to make that decision now.

Medical Follow-Up & Healthcare Support

Healthcare needs and questions can continue after the first few days — and you can still receive support even if you did not have a medical forensic exam.

Our Medical Follow-Up Program is available to all survivors, whether you received a medical forensic exam or are reaching out for healthcare support later.

We can help you:

  • Understand your options for follow-up healthcare
  • Access recommended testing and treatment
  • Connect with healthcare providers for ongoing care
  • Navigate appointments, referrals, and healthcare systems
  • Talk through questions or concerns about your health and next steps

No matter how much time has passed, we can help you explore your healthcare options and decide what feels right for you.

Not Sure What You Need?

You don't have to know what kind of care you want before you call. If you have questions about a medical forensic exam, healthcare options, reporting, or what to do next, an Advocate is available 24 hours a day to talk with you.

24-Hour Crisis Hotline
866-891-7273

You can call to ask questions, learn about your options, or get support — there is no pressure to make a decision.

Community Education & Prevention

We work with the community to prevent violence and support survivors.

  • Professional and community training
  • Public awareness programs
  • Community events and presentations

What You Can Expect From Us

  • You will be treated with respect and compassion
  • Your information is kept confidential
  • You are never pressured to make decisions
  • Services are free
  • Support is available to you and your family

Types of Situations We Help With

You do not need to be sure what happened or know what to call it. If something doesn’t feel right or you were harmed, you can contact us. We are here to listen and help.

Sexual Assault

Any unwanted sexual contact or behavior.

This may include:

  • Being forced, pressured, or manipulated into sexual activity
  • Sexual contact without your consent
  • Sexual contact involving a minor
  • Sexual violence by someone you know or a stranger

You can receive help whether or not you choose to report to law enforcement.

Domestic Violence or Dating Violence

Abuse or controlling behavior in a relationship.

This may include:

  • Physical harm or threats
  • Emotional or psychological abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Controlling behavior, intimidation, or fear
  • Harm by a spouse, partner, or dating partner

Abuse can happen in any relationship and may look different for everyone.

Stalking

Repeated behavior that makes you feel afraid, unsafe, or harassed.

This may include:

  • Following or watching you
  • Repeated unwanted calls, messages, or contact
  • Showing up at your home, work, or school
  • Online harassment or monitoring

If someone’s behavior causes fear or distress, support is available.

Human Trafficking

Being forced, pressured, or manipulated into work or sexual activity.

This may include:

  • Being controlled through threats, fear, or violence
  • Being forced into commercial sex or labor
  • Someone taking or controlling your identification or money
  • Being unable to leave a situation safely

Help is available regardless of your immigration or legal status.

Impaired Driving (DUI)

Support for victims impacted by crashes involving alcohol or drugs.

We provide help to individuals and families affected by impaired driving incidents.

Homicide or Attempted Homicide

Support for victims and families affected by the loss of a loved one or life-threatening violence.

We provide emotional support, guidance, and help navigating available resources.

Not Sure? Contact Us Anyway.

If what you experienced does not fit one of these categories — or you’re unsure — we may still be able to help.

📞 Call: (561) 833-7273
Support is free and confidential.

April: Sexual assault Awareness Month

September: Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month

October: Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

Locations


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Contact Us

Division Director:
Nicole A. Bishop
Main Office-Central Courthouse:
205 N. Dixie, Suite 5.1100, 5th floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone:
(561) 355-2418 Option 3
TTY:
(561) 233-2595

SART Center
TTY:
(561) 624-6643
24 Hour Crisis Hotline
866-891-7273

MapQuest

Victim Services Facebook site

‭(Hidden)‬ Sexual Assault Awareness Month

2025 Sexual Assault Awareness Month 

‭(Hidden)‬ Making the First Call

911

For information about Text-to-911 please click the graphic below:

text-to-911

Brochures

Victim Services - Updated Sexual Battery - Updated Therapy Services and Rape Crisis Therapy Services

‭(Hidden)‬ If You Need Help

​If you were a victim of sexual assault and reported it to any Law Enforcement Agency in Palm Beach County prior to July 1, 2016, and would like to know the status of evidence collected, please contact law enforcement at (561) 688-4127.  Please leave your name and contact information and someone will call you back. Visit this site.
 
If you need assistance an advocate from Palm Beach County Victim Services is available to provide support to you.
You can also call:
24 Hour Helpline
(561) 833-7273


‭(Hidden)‬ Twitter

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