The Victim Service Center reports a spike in sexual assaults in Orange County this month.
- 15 sexual assault calls to Victim Service Center in second week of July
- On average, VSC gets six calls a week
- Number of calls involved strangers, came from downtown Orlando
During the second week of July, 15 sexual assault calls were reported to the Victim Service Center hotline.
On average, the VSC gets about six calls regarding sexual assault cases a week. With 15 calls in mid-July they were surprised.
Not only were a significant amount of calls involving people assaulted by strangers, but a lot of the calls came from assaults happening in downtown Orlando.
"The norm is that it's typically someone that you know or a family member, significant other, acquaintance. The fact that 30 percent were strangers is unusual," said Natasha Llorens, a Victim Service Center advocate.
Alcohol and drugs play a role in some of these cases as well, but Llorens says the more crucial message is that many of these particular assaults could be prevented if people in the community stepped up and spoke out.
"Be as direct as possible and contact 911, or a security guard or a bouncer, because you could be helping to save someone's life," Llorens explained.
They said bystander intervention may be the key to preventing sexual assaults.
All services at the Victim Service Center are free for assault victims. Calling the VSC does not mean you have to report any crime.
"When they are first calling the hotline it's a lot of confusion, the feeling can be very overwhelming," Victim Service Center advocate, Natasha Llorens, said. "Really my ultimate goal is to make sure they feel like they have a safe place to go."
If you need help, you can call the center at 407-500-4325.