Rape Recovery Program

24-Hour Sexual Assault Helpline: 863.413.2707

Sexual violence hurts victims and all of the people who care about them. It impacts survivors’ health, their emotions, their day-to-day lives.

Talking to someone who cares can help make a difference. Helpline support, individual counseling, advocacy services and support groups can help.

women's support group

About Peace River Center’s Rape Recovery Program

Our Rape Recovery Program provides free and confidential services to those ages 12 years and older living in Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties. This sexual assault program offers information, referrals, support groups, and counseling to survivors of sexual violence and their significant others including family members related to sexual assault survivors. These services are offered whether or not the survivor chose to report the attack.

Rape Recovery Services

If you have been sexually assaulted or are the survivor of an attempted assault, we are here to help. Our free and confidential sexual assault services include:

24-hour helpline
24-hour response to area hospitals
individual supportive counseling
walk-ins welcome
support groups
information and referrals
community presentations
assistance with office of attorney general victim compensation application and sexual battery relocation

Sexual Assault Crisis Lines

24-Hour 863.413.2707

Toll-Free 877.688.5077

Victim Services Office Line

863.413.2708

counselor or advocate helping upset female

What do I do if I am sexually assaulted?

If you’ve been sexually assaulted, get medical attention immediately. You can go to a local emergency room within Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties and request for a Peace River Center Victim Services advocate to meet you there. We will respond within an hour.

If you’re in Polk County, forensic exams for sexual assault survivors are available at our Polk County Victim Services office, 1860 S Crystal Lake Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801 for those age 18 and up, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday to Friday. These sexual assault exams are available at our Polk Victim Services office 24-hours Saturday and Sunday (call 863.413.2707 for additional info). An Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner from the Polk County Health Department is on-call to offer
these forensic exams in this confidential and caring environment. Exams are
offered to victims ages 18 and over who have no physical injuries or bleeding associated with the rape.

Why seek immediate treatment for a sexual assault?

You may be injured internally or externally.

You could become pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease.

A medical examination may provide important evidence of sexual assault if you decide to take legal action.

Things to if you have experienced sexual assault:

DO report any sexual assault to your local law enforcement (police, sheriff, etc.)
DO call the Rape Recovery Program. We are available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year at 863.413.2707, toll-free 877.688.5077 or TTY 863. 733.4412.

Things NOT to do if you have experienced sexual assault:

DON’T bathe or douche if you have been sexually assaulted or experienced an attempted rape. Because you have been violated the first thing you might want to do is to bathe or douche. DON’T—you might destroy evidence. Seek immediate medical attention.
DON’T eat, drink or smoke. If there was any oral contact evidence could be destroyed.
DON’T change clothes. Clothing may contain hairs or other evidence that might identify your attacker.

Preventing Sexual Violence

Peace River Center’s Rape Recovery Program is dedicated to reaching out to communities in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties to identify risk factors that might make a person more vulnerable to sexual assault. We build relationships with community partners and clients with the goal of developing prevention activities that will increase awareness and help to create a safer community and society.

If you are interested in having a Rape Recovery Program representative present to your group of sexual violence awareness and prevention, please email CommunityRelations@PeaceRiverCenter.org.

Resources

English Brochure
Rape Recovery Program

Download PDF

Español Folleto
Programa Para La Recuperación de Violación

Download PDF

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Services • Locations • Resources • Events • Donate • Contact Us

You Are Not Alone. Get Help Today!

Emotional Support & Crisis Line: 863.519.3744

Domestic Violence Crisis Hardee/Highlands County: 863.386.1167

Domestic Violence Polk County: 863.413.2700

Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 863.413.2707

You Are Not Alone.
Get Help Today!

Emotional Support & Crisis Line: 863.519.3744

Domestic Violence Crisis Hardee/Highlands County: 863.386.1167

Domestic Violence Polk County: 863.413.2700

Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 863.413.2707

Rape Recovery Program

Rape Recovery Program

About Peace River Center’s Rape Recovery Program

Rape Recovery Services

Sexual Assault Crisis Lines

Victim Services Office Line

What do I do if I am sexually assaulted?

Why seek immediate treatment for a sexual assault?

Preventing Sexual Violence

Resources

Sexual Assault Response Team

Survivor Support Groups

DV Shelter Updates

Community Partner

Heartland for Children Award

Leaving An Abusive Relationship

Domestic and Sexual Violence

Teen Dating Violence Awareness

Trauma in DV Survivors

After Sexual Assault

What is Domestic Violence?

Inclusive Services

You can make a difference.

You can make a difference.

Sign up for updates!

You Are Not Alone. Get Help Today!

You Are Not Alone. Get Help Today!

You Are Not Alone.
Get Help Today!