Frequently asked Questions
Court Information
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Programs
School/Education
Running Away and Shelter
Violence
Pregnancy
Crisis/Depression and Suicide
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) and AIDS
Rape
Questions About Court Information:
Q Who is my public defender (PD) and how can I contact him/her?
A If you do not know who your public defender is, you may contact the public defender's office at : Miami 305-638-6241 for assistance or Orlando 407-836-7580 for assistance.
Q When is my next court date?
A You may contact the public defenders office at and provide the receptionist with your name, date of birth and/or case number (if you know it) so that they may look up your case on the computer and let you know about your next court date. You may also click on the section of this web site titled Administration, and look under the heading Clerk's Office and contact them by phone or email to find out your next court date.
Q Who is my Case Worker from the Department of Children and Families?
A You may contact the Department to find out who your Case Worker is: Miami: 305-377-5111 or Orlando: 407-245-1500.
Q I am on waiting list for a program, where can I get information about the program?
A If you are unsure what program you will be transferred to, you may contact your Juvenile Probation Officer at the office nearest you.
Questions About School/Education:
Q I have been withdrawn from my home school after being released from detention, where can I call for help in re-enrolling in my home school? Also, what if I don't want to go back to that school because that is where all of my problems began?
A You may contact the Miami Dade County Public School Juvenile Justice Support Office in Miami at: 305-633-4950 or Orlando at: 407-317-3463.
Questions About Violence:
Q My boyfriend sometimes gets upset and hits me? Where can I call for help and counseling?
A You should contact Victims' Services in Miami at: 305-374-9990 or Orlando at: 407-497-6701-The Victim Service Center of Orange County, Inc. (VSC) is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive, compassionate, victim-focused services to meet the needs of all victims of crime, including sexual violence survivors who reside in or were victimized in Orange County, Florida. In addition, the VSC operates the certified Sexual Assault Treatment Center for Orange County.
The VSC employees 6 Victim Advocates who are committed to providing services to all crime victims in Orange County. Each advocate has experience working in social services and has received specialized training in sexual violence and trauma recovery. Our center offers victims of crime crisis counseling, information and social service referrals, victim compensation assistance, personal advocacy, emergency legal assistance, safety planning and an array of additional services.
The Sexual Assault Treatment Center (SATC) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide forensic evidence collection and medical intervention to individuals up to 120 hours post-victimization. It is important to note that the VSC provides the same level of services to both reporting and non-reporting victims of sexual assault. The VSC offers to collect and anonymously hold forensic evidence for an individual who is unsure of whether or not they would like to report the crime to law enforcement at the time that they receive services at the SATC. In conjunction with the services offered at the SATC, the VSC also operates Orange County's Sexual Assault Hotline. The hotline can be reached by calling 407-497-6701, and a Victim Advocate will provide crisis intervention and education to all callers.
You can also contact National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) & FL DV Hotline, 1-800-500-1119
Q At home I often see my family getting into fights or my mother being abused, where can I get help?
A You should contact the 24 hour Domestic Violence Hotline number in Miami at: 305-547-3170 or Orlando at: 407-886-2856. If you need any other hotline numbers you may click on the area of this web site titled Community Resources.
Q If I have been abused by my parents, sisters or brothers or by any other family member or friend of the family where can I call for help?
A You may call the child abuse help line at 1-800-962-2873.
Questions About Crisis/Depression and Suicide:
Q Sometimes I get depressed and I have no reason for living. Where can I call for help?
A You should contact the 24 hour Crisis and Suicide Hotline in Miami at 305-358-4357 and in Orlando at 407-841-7413. The National Suicide hotline is: 1-800-SUICIDE. If you need any other hotline numbers you may click on the area of this web site titled Community Resources for more assistance.
Q My friend wants to kill herself and I am confused because I don't know what to do. Where can I call for help?
A You should contact the 24 hour Crisis and Suicide Hotline in Miami at 305-358-4357 and in Orlando at 407-841-7413.
Questions About Rape:
Q I was raped and I am feeling scared and depressed and I really don't know what to do. Where can I call for help?
A You should contact the 24 hour Crisis Hotline in Miami at 305-358-4357 and Orlando at 407-425-1076.
Questions About Alcohol and Substance Abuse Programs:
Q If I have a drinking problem or I know someone who has a drinking problem where can I call?
A You should contact the AA-Alcoholics Anonymous Hotline in Miami at 305-461-2425 or in Orlando at 407-260-5408
Q If I or a friend of mine have a drug problem where should we call?
A You should contact NA-Narcotics Anonymous Hotline at 1-800-711-6375.
Questions About Running Away and Shelter:
Q If I run away from home where can I go or call for help and counseling?
A Contact the Covenant House Crisis/Runaway 9 Line at 1-800-999-9999 or the National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-621-4000.
Questions About Pregnancy:
Q I am afraid that I may be pregnant and I don't know what to do or how to tell my parents. Where can I call for help?
A For twenty four hour assistance you may call the Emergency Contraception Hotline at 1 888-668-2528
Questions About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) and AIDS:
Q I have been having sex with my boyfriend without protection and I am afraid that I may have an STD or AIDS. Where can I get help?
A For assistance you may call the National CDC STD/HIV Hotline, (800) 342-2437, Miami-Dade County Health Department STD Clinic, 305-325-3242, or Planned Parenthood (305)285-5535.
In Orlando call Planned Parenthood (407) 246-1788.
