TAMPA, Fla. — Crisis counselors in the Tampa area believe the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearing could have major implications for sexual assault survivors nationwide.

Agencies in some parts of the country are reporting an uptick in the number of cases being reported.

In Tampa, a group of women rallied on Thursday in front of the Federal Courthouse in support of Christine Blasey Ford, who claims Kavanaugh made sexual advances on her when they were in high school.

Doreen DiBiagio said she is a sexual assault survivor herself and that it took her years to speak out.

"I was raped 45 years ago at the age of 24 and I have never said anything to anyone because I knew at the time that I wouldn't be believed, that it would be "he said, she said" and just saying it would be like being raped all over again," she said.

Whether the accusations against Kavanaugh are accurate, Gina Burns with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay said the fact sexual assault is being discussed openly can have a positive effect.

"We think her testimony could empower other people to come forward and feel the freedom to speak about their story," she said.

Burns also stressed that it doesn't matter how long ago the incident happened, it's not too late to get help.

"We have a crisis hotline and we will get calls from people who were assaulted 20 minutes ago up to 40 or 50 years ago," she said.

Experts said statistically speaking, false reports happen less than 2-6% of the time.

Free counseling and referrals are available in Hillsborough County by calling 911.