Victim Advocate

Victim Advocate Program
The Victim Advocate Program is dedicated to assisting any member of the community who has been the victim of a crime or traumatic incident, regardless of where it occurred.

• Ask the Victim Advocate
• Victim Services
• How we Help
• More to Learn
• Victims Rights Brochure

Initial help can be crucial in a victim's recovery process. The Wauchula Police Department is committed to assisting in this process through the Victim Advocate Program.  The primary goal of the Victim Advocate is to provide a support system to victims. This system provides information and makes referrals that will minimize the frustration that a victim may experience while moving through the Criminal Justice Process.

Ask the Victim Advocate
–Sandra Rojas, Victim Advocate

You can reach the Victim Advocate by calling:
(863) 773-3265
 or sending e-mail (e-mails are not confidential) to:
srojas@cityofwauchula.com

Victim Services

1. Assistance in completion of forms for the Crime Victim Compensation Program.  www.myfloridalegal.com/victims
2. Provision of a 911 cellular phone free of cost.
3. Provide information for counseling, financial assistance, housing, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, etc. 
4. Assistance in obtaining an injunction for protection and support throughout the court proceedings. www.flcourts.org
5. Provide moral support for victim during any investigative and court proceedings.

Provide victims with someone to talk to during their time of need.

How We Help - Frequent Questions & Answers

Q. How do I find out the status of an inmate in county jail or state prison?
A. For information on an inmate in county jail you can log on to the Hardee County Sheriffs Office website and click on jail information. www.hardeeso.com  For information on an inmate in Florida State Prison you can log on to the Florida Department of Corrections website and click on offender search.

Q. How do I locate a drug or alcohol abuse treatment center for my love one?
A. To locate a center that is right for you or your love one log on to The Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator website. http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/

Q. Can I send my child to Boot Camp?
A. Yes, A one-day Boot Camp program is offered through the Polk County Sheriff Office S.T.A.R. program, for more information log on to www.polksheriff.org and click on S.T.A.R. Program.

Q. How do I find out if a sexual predator/offender is living in my neighborhood?
A. For a list of sexual predators/offenders living in your area log on to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website and click on Sexual Offender Database.  www.fdle.state.fl.us

More to Learn

• Online Sunsine:  www.leg.state.fl.us
• Florida Attorney General: www.myfloridalegal.com
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement: www.fdle.state.fl.us
• Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence: www.fcadv.org
• Florida State Courts: www.flcourts.org
• Florida Department of Corrections: www.dc.state.fl.us/
• Legal Services
  Department of Revenue (child Support)…800-622-5437
  Florida Rural Legal Services…800-277-7680
  Heart of Florida Legal Aid Society…800-370-4114
• Emergency Shelter
  Safe House (Rape/Domestic Violence)…863-386-1167
  New Testament Church & Mission…863-385-0035
  Salvation Army…863-682-8179/291-5107
  Lighthouse Ministries…863-687-3705
• Abuse: Child and Spouse
  Abuse Hotline…800-962-2873
  Domestic Violence Hotline…800-500-1119
  Guardian Ad Litem…863-773-2505
  Rape Crisis Hotline…863-773-4444/386-1169
• Medicine/Food/Financial Aid
  Department of Children & Families…863-773-2155
  Hardee Help Center…863-773-0034
  SHARE…800-536-3379
• Employment/Job Training
  Heartland Career Center…863-773-3435
  Vocational Rehabilitation…863-773-2802