OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A nonprofit that provides critical services to the community announced that it was officially certified at a ribbon cutting Aug. 15, 2025.

The Ocala Metro CEP partnered with the Marion County Sexual Assault Center in the ceremony, at the center’s facility on SW 1st Ave. in Ocala.

Besty Weber the sexual assault center’s executive director commended her staff for their work and the ability to provide those services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help those who’ve been the victims of sexual violence.

The statistics are unsettling, one in every four women, and one in every 26 men have had the untoward experience of having been subjected to sexual violence or attempted sexual violence.

Marion County is renowned for its spirit of generosity and its philanthropic nature. The support for the Marion County Sexual Assault Center’s mission and how vital the services are to the area are representative of the altruism that have become symbolic of the community. The sexual assault center is also directing its energies toward keeping the community educated by raising awareness of the dangers of sexual violence, and the preventative measures that can be taken.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the people standing next to me. When we formed this board a year ago, we could’ve only dreamed to be in the presence that we’re currently in,” said Sara Lambert, Marion County Sexual Assault Center board of directors’ president, who was overwhelmed with gratitude. “The fact that we achieved it in about a year is truly awe inspiring. I’m incredibly thankful to the people who helped fund this, the Hospital District, Marion County Community Services, the United Way without any of you, none of this would be possible.”

A number of elected officials and stakeholders were in the audience at the ribbon cutting understanding the importance of the services the Marion County Sexual Assault Center provides to the community. The community’s understanding and support for services like those offered by the Sexual Assault Center, is why City of Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano tells everyone that Ocala is the nation’s best city.

“It’s days like today that make me extremely proud of our community,” said Marciano. “Bob (Haight, United Way of Marion County president and CEO) and I were just talking, and you think about how the sexual assault center started, and where it was three years ago, and how they were doing sexual assault cases, at the old woman’s domestic violence center in a closet. You have this woman who has gone through this horrible traumatic experience, and she has to wait hours and then she’s going to be seen in a closet, and that was never meant to be. God had a different plan, and he put it on your hearts, and you guys brought this amazing place to fruition. and lives will be saved and changed because of it.”