In 1971, Roxcy O’Neal Bolton and local feminists took a stand against the rising incidence of rape in Miami. The Miami-Dade County Commission formed a countywide rape task force in response. Recognizing the need, the task force proposed and gained county funding for the Miami Rape Treatment Center (RTC) in 1973. In 1974, the Miami Rape Treatment Center opened as a county-supported organization, a pioneering rape treatment center tied to Jackson Memorial Hospital. RTC was renamed to the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center in 1993 in honor of Bolton.

Support groups are hosted by mental health professionals, and include people with similar experiences who can come together to heal their pain and support one another. This service is free and confidential. Support groups are held virtually and in person, and usually take place in the evening. Please call to reserve your spot at the next group session. For more information, call 305-585-7273.

Dr. Simmons, serving as the RTC medical director until September 1, 2008, was a dedicated teacher and advocate for survivors of sexual assault. Her expertise benefited various stakeholders, including law enforcement, prosecutors, students, and cruise ship operators, fostering a broader understanding of sexual assault’s impact.

RTC is Miami-Dade County’s sole comprehensive rape treatment center, offering all-inclusive care for victims 12 years and older. As one of the few centers of its kind nationwide, RTC remains committed to providing sensitive and confidential assistance 24/7.

Our team’s goals for Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center (RTC) are:

1. Expanding access to care: Increasing awareness of our services and collaborating with community partners allows us to offer every survivor access to the support they need, regardless of barriers like language, transportation, or financial challenges.

2. Enhancing staff training and development: Investing in the continued education of our staff, including sexual assault nurse examiners and victim advocates, ensures that RTC remains at the forefront of trauma-informed practices.

3. Improving survivor outcomes: Through data-driven initiatives, RTC is committed to evaluating and enhancing programs to better address the emotional, physical, and legal needs of survivors.

Judith Oriental-Pierre, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and medical director of Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center at Jackson Memorial Medical Center, where she oversees medical care for survivors of sexual violence. She’s also an affiliated assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Oriental-Pierre completed her residency in emergency medicine at the University of Connecticut and later completed an ultrasound fellowship at the University of South Florida.

She holds a Doctor of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Florida Atlantic University. Additionally, Dr. Oriental-Pierre is a certified victim advocate, human trafficking practitioner, and a sexual assault forensic examiner, with a focus on advocacy for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Her roles include being an ultrasound educator, research presenter, and a contributor to ultrasound education. Her experience also encompasses work with various professional committees, including the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and Child Abuse Death Review in Miami, and as faculty advisor for the University of Miami’s Project Freedom, an anti-human trafficking initiative.

Dr. Oriental-Pierre is actively involved in professional organizations, such as the American College of Emergency Physicians, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, and the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine.

A medical exam provides testing for and prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, and to obtain the required forensic specimens when there is police involvement. Pre/post exposure prophylactic medication is also provided.

The center is available any time you have questions or need assistance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 305-585-RAPE (7273). The helpline provides immediate telephone crisis intervention services to victims and their non-offending family members. For the hearing or speech impaired, please contact us through Florida Relay at 1-800-955-8771, Teletypewriter.

RTC staff is available in person or by phone to provide assistance, answer questions and offer resources related to sexual violence.

Victim Advocates provide sexual assault victims and their non-offending family members with immediate emotional and physical support.

Victim advocates are available to provide personal support in accessing services or information needed as a result of sexual assault.

Victim advocates are available to provide in-person support to emergency medical/forensic services, law enforcement interviews, doctor’s appointments, and court appointments to ensure the sexual assault survivor’s interest is represented and their rights are upheld.

RTC staff is actively engaged in informing the public about sexual violence and available programs and services for victims of sexual assault. RTC conducts presentations and awareness events for colleges/universities, military personnel, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, correction facilities, public/private schools, and the general public. To learn more about community presentations and tabling events, please contact 305-585-5185.

RTC coordinates with medical facilities, advocacy/community agencies, law enforcement (if the victim decides to report), mental health services, college/universities, State Attorney’s Office, Office of the Attorney General, and any other relevant group in an effort to ensure victims of sexual assault have access to the full array of core and enhanced services.

Support groups are hosted by mental health professionals, and include people with similar experiences who can come together to heal their pain and support one another. This service is free and confidential. Support groups are held virtually and in person, and usually take place in the evening. Please call to reserve your spot at the next group session. For more information, call 305-585-7273.

Therapists at RTC are qualified mental health professionals who use strength-based and evidence-based approaches when working with sexual assault survivors. We specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT).

CBT is an approach that focuses on reframing unhealthy thoughts and changing unhealthy behaviors to reach a healthy outcome over a period of time. This therapy is used for patients of all ages.

TF-CBT is a treatment meant for children and teenagers who have experienced trauma. This approach teaches child and teenage survivors to come up with healthy, safe, and relaxing activities. Survivors learn to change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors by describing the trauma to help them effectively manage their symptoms.

CPT is a type of CBT for trauma survivors who are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The goal is identifying, challenging, and changing unhealthy beliefs that come from trauma. This therapy is effective at lowering and managing trauma symptoms for survivors starting at age 17.

Therapy services are tailored to each person’s goals and needs, and are available to survivors of recent and past sexual assault traumas. Therapists also treat non-offending family members who’ve been affected.

Victim advocates are certified through the Office of the Attorney General to provide victim compensation, relocation, and human trafficking application assistance to victims of sexual assault.

Victim advocates and RTC staff work together to help survivors feel safe and supported, while also connecting them with resources and programs to rebuild their lives.