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Rape crisis center helps victims heal

The arrest of a suspect for a 2008 rape that occured in Haile Plantation in southwest Gainesville is not the end of the case. Authorities are trying to make sure Andrew Payne returns to Alachua County to stand trial.  But even when that's over, for the victim, it doesn't mean everything is ok.  In this case, victim advocates with the Alachua County Rape Crisis Center have been working with the victim since the incident occured.   Alachua county victim advocate and counselor, Barbie Hechaveria, says there are good programs in place to help victims of sexual assault:

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/VICTIM1FP.mp3

While law enforcement concentrate on finding suspects, Hechavaria says victim advocates are hard at work as well:

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/newvict2fp.mp3

The 2008 rape in Gainesville is one of the exceptions to what is generally true in rape cases, according to Hechevaria.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/finalvictimFP.mp3

The suspect, Andrew Payne, is expected to return to Florida to face charges soon.

 

Stephanie is a reporter for WUFT News who may be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org