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SECTION 6: STATUTORY RAPE PREVENTION

These are state/federal funded initiatives complementary to and coordinated with the TANF program at the local level. They are not TANF or TANF/MOE funded.

Florida programs that provide educational information and training to state and local law enforcement officials, educational institutions, and relevant counseling services on the problem of statutory rape, teenage pregnancy prevention programs, and the role of fathers have been expanded in scope.

Florida, in compliance with 402(a)(1)(A)(vi) of the Act, implements programs designed to reach state and local law enforcement officials, the education system, and relevant counseling services, to provide education and training to men and women on statutory rape so that teenage pregnancy prevention programs educate all individuals . DOH contracts with the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV) to provide training and technical assistance to first responders and educators at certified rape crisis centers, law enforcement agencies, and allied professionals to improve the provision of the sexual battery recovery services for sexual assault victims.

Florida’s Sexual Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) aims to empower individuals and organizations in Florida to end sexual violence through social change, advocacy, education, and training. DOH funded programs provided include: • 9 agencies providing intervention services for rape victims. • 13 agencies providing 24/7 hotline services. • 27 agencies conducting prevention education, social norms campaigns, or special projects. • 29 certified rape crisis centers.

The State of Florida has also mandated under section 943.1724, F.S., that by July 1, 2024, each law enforcement officer must successfully complete training on sexual assault, with an emphasis on culturally responsive, trauma-informed training on interviewing sexual assault victims and investigations of incidents of sexual assault as a part of the basic recruit training. If an officer fails to complete the training required under this subsection, his or her certification must be placed on inactive status until the officer’s employing agency notifies the commission that he or she has completed such training.

The collaborative effort of DOH, the State Prevention Team (SPT), the Community Mobilization Team (CMT), and CAT forms a statewide network which collaborates to end sexual violence through social change, advocacy, education, and training.

6.1 VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM

The Violence and Injury Prevention Section’s Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Program is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to educate the public, professionals, and underserved populations on sexual violence interventions and prevention through creation of safe, healthy environments, and behaviors.