ORLANDO, Fla. — The Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office and the Victim Service Center of Central Florida are testing out a new pilot program to provide immediate counseling for victims before and after court hearings. 

State Attorney Andrew Bain said it’s a novel idea and a new avenue to reach and support victims of crimes. He has already introduced the new pilot to his prosecutors, so they know it’s available for victims.

Rachel Sines interacted with the state attorney’s office during a prosecution 16 years ago.

She says back then, the Victim Service Center helped her after a sexual assault.

“It was a home invasion with a handgun and kidnapping,” said Sines.

Lucky to get away alive, Sines said counseling and therapy helped her pull through.

On Thursday, she sat in the office where crime victims and survivors can see a counselor inside the State Attorney’s Office before and after court proceedings.

During her time in court, Sines said this pilot program was not in existence.

“The fact that the VSC is able to provide even more access to services to victims is only going to help more victims start their healing journey quicker,” she said.

Rhonda Wilson, the Victim Service Center counselor working at the State Attorney’s Office, helps victims and survivors through crisis and trauma intervention.

“Seeing a huge need either before trial, after trial — these individuals need that extra emotional support and I’m here to provide it,” she said.

Wilson helps victims process their emotions of what happened in court, talking through their fears and anxieties around court depositions, testifying or meetings with prosecutors.

“As we’re sitting down talking, I let them offload all their emotions of how they’re feeling," Wilson said. "It helps the nervousness of what they’re feeling so they’re able to either talk to the state attorney or be able to go to the trial and be on the witness stand."

The Victim Service Center released the following statement about the pilot program: 

"Thanks to this new partnership, our team of trauma informed counselors are available immediately to provide emotional support and crisis intervention services for victims and their families as they seek justice through the court system. While this started as a pilot program to see if victims attending court proceedings would even utilize our services, we quickly saw the benefits as numerous clients requested and received our free and confidential support. In the short time since opening the new courthouse satellite office, we’ve had a steady influx of clients which has been increasing on a weekly basis.  Now in our 25th year of service to the Central Florida community, we also have additional satellite offices in Osceola and Seminole Counties, and this past year we helped more than 9,000 victims and their families." 

Each case and survivor is different.

As Sines walked through the Orange County Courthouse where the perpetrator who hurt her was convicted, she remembers that time and how she felt.

“Going through the trial process is long, and it’s tough," she said. "And it takes a lot of courage and a lot of patience."

Bain, who is leading the efforts along with the Victim Service Center, said being in court can be a challenge for victims and access to immediate counseling can help get them ready for trial and prepare them for the testimony they’ll have to give.

“A lot of them experience a lot of trauma related to having to re-live that criminal episode that they were part of. So this was something I always wanted to do,” he said. “If we can provide it in a place where it’s probably most likely that caused the most trauma, which is coming to my office or going to court and trying to address that trauma at that moment, is the most critical thing we can do for that victim.”

Sines said this immediate response will make a difference.

Her message to survivors is that they’re not alone and darkness will eventually go away.

“You’re stronger than you think you are," she said. "You can get through it. There’s light at the end."

Since it’s a pilot program, the VSC counselor is only in the office Wednesday through Friday.

The VSC funds the position, but Bain said he’s willing to continue the pilot program for as long as possible, even if it requires some of their state funds.

Anyone needing to access to a crisis helpline outside of court hours can call 407-500-HEAL.