Victim Advocates Services

The sexual abuse of children spans all races, ages, ethnic groups and economic backgrounds. Sexual abuse means any kind of unwanted or inappropriate sexual behavior with a child, whether or not there is actual physical contact. Tragically, this kind of abuse is not rare; studies estimate that one in four girls and one in seven boys are sexually abused as children. Read More.

It is more common than many people think, and its effects can be devastating. Victims of sexual abuse can be girls or boys of any age. The abuse can cause serious and long-lasting psychological harm and many times leads to shattered families. Read More.

We want to trust the people in our lives: our friends, family members and community acquaintances. Unfortunately, the truth is that we are more likely to be sexually assaulted by someone we know: a friend, a relative, an employer, a date or someone we have recently met than by a stranger. Read more.

Dating violence is the threat or act of violence by at least one member of an unmarried couple to the other member of an unmarried couple. This could be sexual assault, physical violence, verbal, mental or emotional abuse.

What do we mean when we talk about Dating Violence?

Dating abuse isn’t an argument every once in a while, or a bad mood after a bad day. Dating abuse (or Relationship Abuse) is a pattern of controlling behavior that someone uses against a girlfriend or boyfriend.

Abuse can cause injury and even death, but it doesn’t have to be physical. It can include verbal and emotional abuse – constant insults, isolation from family and friends, name calling, controlling what someone wears-and it can also include sexual abuse.

What are the early warning signs of dating violence?

• Get jealous or angry when you spend time with friends or family. Isolate you from friends or family
• Controlling behavior towards you
• Excessive alcohol and drug use
• Explosive anger, uses force and aggressive behavior during an argument
• Blames others for their problems, feelings or actions
• Cruel to animals or children
• Verbally and emotional abusive towards you
• Abused former partners
• Text or call you excessively and get upset when you don’t respond
• Monitor your phone, email or profile on a social networking site
• Feels they have a right to know where you are most or all of the time
• Monitors your clothes or style. Controls what you wear
• Push, slap, pinch, grab or punch you for any reason
• Restrain you from leaving during an argument
• Guilt or force you to have sex
• Pressure you to do things you don’t want to do
• Threatened to you or themselves if the relationship ends

Ending an abusive relationship

If you're thinking of ending your relationship, consider these safety tips:

• If you don't feel safe, don't break up in person. It may seem cruel to break up over the phone or by email, but these ways can provide you the distance needed to stay safe
• If you decide to break up in person, consider doing it in a public place. Take a cell phone or a friend with you if possible
• Don't try to explain your reasons for ending the relationship more than once. There is nothing you can say that will make your ex happy about the break up
• Let your friends or family member know you are ending your relationship, especially if you think your ex will come to your house or try to get you alone
• If your ex tries to come to your house, school or work when you're alone, don’t go to the door. Trust yourself. If you feel afraid, you probably have a good reason
• Ask for help. Contact your local police department, speak to a parent or trusted adult, or contact a peer advocate at the National Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474 or visit www.loveisrespect.org for more information

When is over…

Just because an abusive relationship is over, doesn’t mean the risk of violence is over. Here are some tips to stay safe after ending your relationship:

• If you ex tries to come to your house when you’re alone, don’t answer the door
• Trust yourself. If you feel afraid, you probably have a good reason. Talk with a friend or family member about what you are going through they can provide support
• Talk to your boss or school counselor or therapist about what has been going on. Together you can alert security, adjust your work or school schedule. You may be able to come up with ways you can be safe
• Avoid isolated areas outside your home, work school or local hangout. Don’t walk home alone
• Stick with a friend at parties or events you think your ex-partner might attend
• Save any threatening or harassing messages, emails, or text your ex-partner sent. Set your profile all social media platforms to private
• If you ever feel you’re in danger, call 911

Resources/Social Services Available

National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline
1-866-331-9474
https://www.loveisrespect.org

Coordinated Victims Assistance Center
2400 S. Dixie Hwy Miami, Florida 33133
305-285-5900
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1502483183449106

Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts-Injunctions/restraining orders

• Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
   175 NW First Avenue Miami, Florida 33128

• South Dade Government Center
   10710 SW 211th Street Cutler Bay, Florida 33189

• North Dade Justice Center
   15555 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite #100 N. Miami Beach, Florida 33160

• Hialeah Court House
   11 East 6th Street, Hialeah, Florida 33010

Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Courts - Restraining Orders

Dade Legal Aid of Greater Miami
23 NW 1st Avenue Miami, Florida 33128
305-579-5733
http://www.dadelegalaid.org

Survivor’s Pathway Counseling Center
1801 Coral Way Miami, Florida 33145
786-275-4364
https://survivorspathway.org

Trauma Resolution Counseling Center
4343 W Flagler St Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-374-9990
https://www.traumaresolutioncenter.net

Domestic Violence is a crime. No one, not even someone you live with, has the right to beat you or threaten you with violence. Knowing your legal rights and your options is the first step toward ending the abuse.

If you're being physically or sexually abused, threatened by a family or household member, or believe you are in danger of such abuse, get help.

• The law protects you if you're being abused or threatened by your spouse, former spouse, or another family member who is or was living in the same household as you
• The law protects you from abuse by a person with whom you have a child in common, whether you lived together or not
• You don't need to be married or related to the abuser to be protected under the law

If you're the victim of domestic violence, call us immediately. Also, you may ask the State Attorney to press charges by calling 305-547-0150.

You also have the right to go to court and file a petition requesting an Injunction for Protection from domestic violence which may include, but not be limited to:

• Provisions which restrain the abuser from further acts of abuse
• Directing the abuser to leave your household
• Preventing the abuser from entering your residence, school, business or place or employment
• Awarding you custody of a minor child or children
• Directing the abuser to pay support to you and any minor children if the abuser has a legal obligation to do so

Remember, if an individual has abused you physically or sexually, or if you have good reason to fear that this person is about to be violent toward you, the law in Florida enables you to get a judge to order the abuse to stop.

Sexual violence can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of their age or background. Elderly people face difficulties and obstacles in dealing with sexual assault that other people do not, including a harder time reaching out for help and healing physically and emotionally. Read More.

Learn about what you can do to prevent the abuse or neglect of an elderly or disabled person.

What is financial/fraud crimes?

Fraud and financial crimes are a form of theft/larceny that occurs when a person or entity takes money or property, or uses them in an illicit manner with the intent to gain a benefit from it. These crimes typically involve some form of deceit or the abuse of a position of trust which distinguishes them from common theft or robbery.

How can you prevent being victimized?

• Look for charges on your credit or debit cards that you do not recognize as your purchases
• Texts, calls or emails from individuals or companies you do not recognize
• Contact from strangers on your social media accounts, asking for money
• Calls, texts, or emails from companies, individuals or even local, State and Federal agencies asking you to pay a balance you owe them, using payment methods such as gift cards, bitcoin, cash or wire transfers
• Ask for help from a parent or trusted adult. Contact the nearest Miami-Dade Police Department District Station to you to file a report of the fraud incident as soon as possible
• Save all communications sent to the victim via text, email or social media. Set your profile on all social media platforms to private or only to your trusted friends
• Contact the credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit
• Contact your credit card company and ask them to place a fraud alert on your accounts, and you can be notified by email or text
• Contact your banking institution(s) and ask them to place a fraud alert on your checking, savings, and debit card accounts, and you can be notified via text or email
• If you feel you are in danger call 911 immediately

If you are a victim, how can you get help?

• Check to ensure your safety
• Know that this is not your fault and that you are not alone
• Report the crime to law enforcement
• You can also help by gathering information and resources that can assist you
• Ask family or friends for assistance
• Contact your local victim advocate for assistance with resources

It is never the victim's fault. Fraud has nothing to do with what the victim should or should not have done to prevent the crime, it is entirely the fault of the subject(s). If you have been a victim of a scam or fraud, it is important to remember that it was not your fault and you are not alone. Scams or fraud can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of their age or background. Elderly people face difficulties and obstacles in dealing with scams and fraud that other people do not, including a harder time reaching out for help and healing emotionally. Many elderly citizens are victimized by the very people they depend on for their emotional well-being. Scams and fraud can cause emotional injuries, on a victim’s psyche. It can include feelings of depression and isolation, especially on elderly citizens.

What are the social services available?

Do not become a victim of fraud. Protect your hard-earned money by gaining a basic understanding of how scammers work and the common tactics they use. Learning how to invest safely can also assist you in reaching your financial goals and avoid becoming a victim. Review the following scams to learn what to look out for and how to avoid falling prey to scammers.

• Contact the Florida Department of Financial Services by reaching out to their division of consumer services toll-free helpline at, 1-877-693-5236 or you can also reach out to them via email
• Visit the Attorney General of Florida’s Consumer Protection webpage to find useful tools and tips to help protect yourself from consumer fraud
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission

For further assistance or questions, please contact the MDPD Economic Crimes Bureau-Victim Advocate at 305-471-2752, they are available to all fraud victims. They can offer emotional support and assist the victim in obtaining all the needed services.

Hate crimes are defined as a committed or attempted act by any person or group against a person or the property of another person or group that in any way evidences prejudice or hatred toward the victim because of his/her personal characteristics, which include race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, homeless status, mental or physical disability, or people of advanced age.

If you are the victim of a hate crime the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office Hate Crimes Unit can assist and guide you through the judicial process.

Dial 911 for emergencies and (305) 4-POLICE for non-emergencies.

• Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office Hate Crimes Unit
  786-687-2566.

When most people think about how rapes occur, they imagine desolate dark alleyways late at night and the attacker being a stranger. The truth is the majority of people who commit rape know their victims. They may be relatives, friends or work colleagues. Read More.

We realize that for many persons, being a victim or witness to a crime is their first experience with the criminal and juvenile justice systems. As a victim or witness, you have certain rights within the system. The following information is being provided to you to assist you with questions you may have regarding those rights. For further information regarding these rights, please contact the State Attorney's Office (SAO) and/or the appropriate law enforcement agency (LEA) handling your case. Learn about your rights as a victim.

No one should touch your body or do anything to it unless you understand what they are going to do and you say "yes." These are serious crimes. We have laws to protect people from abuse. Your body belongs only to you. Bad touch can make you feel scared or very hurt. Sexual assault can hurt your body and your feelings. They did something wrong, but you didn't do anything wrong. Read More.

Remember that you have just experienced a traumatic event; you need to be with others. Reach out to those whom you trust and care for you. Do not blame yourself. The assault is not your fault and you are in no way responsible. Give yourself permission to feel sad or angry and share your feelings with others. You're normal and are having normal reactions-don't label yourself crazy. Do not resort to drugs or alcohol to numb or relieve the pain. Help is out there. Just ask for it. Read More.

Men and boys can be victims of sexual violence as children, teens or as adults. Sexual violence is any unwanted sexual contact. Perpetrators of sexual violence against men act out of power and control. Sexual violence includes such crimes as rape, incest, statutory sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation of children or any sexual contact without consent. Read More.

Should I tell the police?
That is a question only the victim can answer. It's a personal choice that you, the victim, must feel comfortable making. These FAQs may help you decide what is right for you.

What will happen if I do?
A specially trained detective from MDPD's Sexual Crimes Bureau will talk to you in confidence. They will guide you through the Criminal Justice System, while investigating your case.

What will the Police think of me?
We will not judge you. You will be treated with sensitivity and respect.

I can't remember what happened so how can I tell the Police?
If you are worried or anxious and think something has happened to you, tell us.

What is a Victim Services Coordinator?
Victim Service Coordinators are available to all sexual assault victims. They offer emotional support during crisis and assist the rape survivor in obtaining needed services.

Will I have to go to court?
That will depend on the end result of your case. The detective and/or State Attorney's Office will advise you about court procedures and hearing information.

I don't want to go to the police. Is there somewhere else I can go for help?
If you decide not to call the police, call someone. The Rape Hotline will always offer support, even if you choose to remain anonymous. You can visit the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in confidence. They can provide you with medical treatment and ongoing support and advice.

If you're a victim, and you don't find answers on this page, please call the Rape Hotline.

• Parents for Megan's Law and the Crime Victims Center
• Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence
• Florida Offender Alert System
• National Sex Offender Public Website