VSC Podcast

About VSC Podcast

The Victim Service Center Podcast sits down with professionals that serve survivors and victims of trauma, or those who have experienced violence, and have conversations about social issues.

Publisher

Victim Service Center

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Apr 2020

Latest episode

13 May 2026

Latest episodes

160 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 May 2026

   Ending Violence in Orlando’s Nightlife

   Everyone deserves a safe night out — whether at a bar, club, concert, or any space where people gather to relax, unwind, and have fun. Unfortunately, that is not the reality for many. Abusers often exploit nightlife environments where people are meeting new friends, enjoying drinks, and letting their guard down, using these situations to harass, manipulate, or commit acts of violence — including drug-facilitated sexual assault. In this episode, host Olivia Oropeza speaks with experts from the hospitality industry, victim services, and forensic nursing to discuss how we can better recognize, prevent, and respond to violence in nightlife settings. Tune in to learn how we can work together to create safer experiences in our local nightlife communities.Episode 3 Segment 1: Michael Coon, General Manager in Hospitality Michael Coon is a General Manager with 27 years in the hospitality industry – managing and serving in some of Orlando’s top venues. In this segment, Michael shares his wisdom on how to keep staff and patrons safe. Episode 3 Segment 2: Dr. Laura Valle, Ph.D., UCF Director of Victim ServicesYoung adults in college face an elevated risk of assault in nightlife environments, making prevention efforts and reliable support systems critically important. Dr. Laura Valle, Ph.D., from UCF Victim Services discusses the unique challenges college students encounter and how Victim Services staff work to ensure students feel safe, supported, and empowered.Episode 3 Segment 3: Mary Joder, SANE, Forensic Nurse Examiner, Volusia County As a Forensic Nurse Examiner, Mary Joder provides specialized medical care and forensic evidence collection for individuals who have experienced sexual violence, including cases involving drug-facilitated sexual assault. In this segment, she explains her role as a forensic nurse examiner and walks through what patients can expect when seeking care at the clinic following a sexual assault. Below are hotlines we recommend: VSC Helpline: (407) 500-4325 National Sexual Assault Helpline (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673 Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873 OR visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠myflfamilies.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://myflfamilies.com/) to report online. Victim Service Center of Central Florida, Inc. 2111 East Michigan Street, Suite 210 Orlando, Florida 32806 Marketing@VictimServiceCenter.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://victimservicecenter.org/) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/vscflorida ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuffueEwgTHt44lOG-yQiwA ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/vscflorida/ ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/victim-service-center-of-central-florida/ ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@vscflorida)

2. 

   16 Jan 2026

   Collaboration For Justice

   In this episode of the VSC Podcast, host Olivia Oropeza discusses the different entities who work together to provide survivors of sexual violence with the car and justice they deserve after experiencing a sexual assault. In popular media, we don’t always see the coordinated efforts that go on behind the scenes. However, in real life, collaboration is the key to justice. Episode 2 Segment 1: Law Enforcement – Detective Rick Salcedo UCF Detective Rick Salcedo shares the role of law enforcement in how they work alongside other entities to support survivors. Rick Salcedo is a Sex Crimes Detective at the University of Central Florida’s Police Department. Prior to working at UCF’s Police Department, Rick worked for the Orlando Police Department for 26 years and created their Orlando Police Department’s Special Victims Response Team (SVRT), which consists of 32 volunteer patrol officers/first responders who respond to sex crimes and child abuse cases. Episode 2 Segment 2: Forensic Nursing – Mary Yoder, SANE/FNE Nurse, Volusia County SANE/FNE Nurse Mary Yoder shares why forensic evidence collection is important, how nurses collaborate with law enforcement and advocates, as well as unique ways her role makes a difference. When someone experiences sexual violence, one of the most important steps in both the healing journey and the pursuit of justice is forensic evidence collection. These exams are conducted by specially trained forensic nurse examiners, who not only collect vital evidence after an assault, but also provide compassionate, trauma-informed care to their patients during one of the most difficult moments of their lives. Episode 2 Segment 3: Dr. Erin Hanson, Ph.D. Forensic Scientist Dr. Erin Hanson, Ph.D. explains how advancements in technology are transforming the way we pursue justice for survivors. In this segment, Dr. Erin Hanson discusses how advancements in forensic science are shaping investigations, strengthening cases, and ultimately, bringing closure and justice to survivors. Additionally, Dr. Erin Hanson shares more about her background in forensic science and DNA analysis and why this is essential when it comes to sexual assault. Below are hotlines we recommend: VSC Helpline: (407) 500-4325 National Sexual Assault Helpline (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673 Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873 OR visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠myflfamilies.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://myflfamilies.com/) to report online. Victim Service Center of Central Florida, Inc. 2111 East Michigan Street, Suite 210 Orlando, Florida 32806 Marketing@VictimServiceCenter.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://victimservicecenter.org/) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/vscflorida ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuffueEwgTHt44lOG-yQiwA ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/vscflorida/ ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/victim-service-center-of-central-florida/ ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@vscflorida)

3. 

   26 Nov 2025

   Emotions in Motion: VSC and the Orlando Ballet’s Unique New Program

   In this episode of the VSC Podcast, host Olivia Oropeza introduces a new program that VSC has launched in partnership with Orlando Ballet. This initiative uses the power of movement and dance to promote healing, empowerment and reconnection for survivors of violence, abuse and trauma. Guests interviewed include Co-creators Brandi Godbee and Shane Bland and Emotions in Motion participant Renzo. Brandi Godbee, Lead Therapist/Clinical Manager at Victim Service Center, Co-creator of Emotions in Motion - Brandi is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor. Education: Master's degree with Honors in Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College and a Bachelor's degree in English. Trained in EMDR & DBT. Shane Bland, Head of Community Enrichment at Orlando Ballet and Co-creator of Emotions in Motions - As head of Orlando Ballet’s Community Enrichment Division, Shane is a dynamic theater artist with an accomplished career spanning Broadway, national tours, regional theater, television, choreography, and directing. His Broadway credits include Bombay Dreams, Show Boat (Harold Prince), and Disney’s The Lion King. In Orlando, Shane has starred in Ain’t Misbehavin’, Cabaret (as the Emcee at Orlando Shakes), and Beauty and the Beast (as The Beast at the Garden Theatre). His choreography credits include Frozen Jr., Matilda (Broadway World Nominee), and Hairspray. Shane also serves as an adjudicator for the Applause Awards, supporting young performers across the region. Below are hotlines we recommend: VSC Helpline: (407) 500-4325 National Sexual Assault Helpline (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673 Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873 OR visit ⁠⁠⁠myflfamilies.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://myflfamilies.com/) to report online. Victim Service Center of Central Florida, Inc. 2111 East Michigan Street, Suite 210 Orlando, Florida 32806 Marketing@VictimServiceCenter.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://victimservicecenter.org/) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/vscflorida ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuffueEwgTHt44lOG-yQiwA ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/vscflorida/ ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/victim-service-center-of-central-florida/ ) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@vscflorida)

Who has been a guest on VSC Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Sarah Shoulak
• Heather Parker
• Detective Hannah Crowe
• Natalia Piedrahita
• Deputy Khayree Pender

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

23,845

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

12 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 71 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

81

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

77

Contact VSC Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.