15 year old, Emma, lay sleeping in a hospital bed. Her mother, Kristin, quietly looked down at her and struggled with the emotions she was experiencing. Fear, shock, grief, anxiety, and rage all flooded her heart and mind, and she came to one realization: her boyfriend, Gary, was a monster.

When Kristin left for work that morning, Emma was still asleep and Gary was mulling about the kitchen. She had no reason to expect what would happen immediately after she headed out the door.

In the hours that followed Gary bound Emma and threatened her and her mother's life while physically and sexually assaulting her.

A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and Victim Advocate from the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay were called into the hospital to provide help to Emma and her mom.

The Nurse Examiner had never seen anything like it. Emma suffered injuries all over her body and face. The nurse was gentle, caring and cautious. She took meticulous notes, logging each injury while collecting all the necessary forensic evidence.

The Victim Advocate sat down with Kristin that night. She provided new clothing for Emma to wear after being discharged from the hospital. She provided information about victim's rights, explained the process of filing a restraining order, and let Kristin know that Emma would be entitled to Crime Victim Compensation. She even provided a letter to Emma's school that helped explain that Emma would be missing classes. She then arranged for Emma to meet with a trauma counselor in Corbett Trauma Center so she could begin to heal from her emotional pain, after she began to heal from the physical trauma.

Eventually justice was served. After many months and a trial where the Crisis Center Nurse Examiner testified, the jury recognized the severity Gary's crimes. They found him guilty on multiple counts and he was sentenced to life in prison.

Today both Kristin and Emma are doing well thanks to the help they received through the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.  They know they can turn to a Victim Advocate, Trauma Counselor, and 2-1-1 Specialists if they ever need help in the future.