Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we should all work together to address this serious danger to our families. Domestic violence can destroy a victim’s physical and emotional well-being, and when children are the victims of domestic violence, the damage can last a lifetime.

My office works regularly to respond victims of crime, whether by offering financial assistance, helping victims understand and participate in the criminal justice system, or doing what we can to provide them with a measure of safety and security. This year, my office awarded more than $19.3 million in federal grants to private and public agencies, including multiple domestic violence centers, which serve crime victims throughout Florida. My office is also a co-sponsor of the Intimate Violence Enhanced Services Team (InVest) program, which is specially designed to provide intensive prevention and protection services to domestic abuse victims at high risk for fatal attacks.

If you or anyone you know needs help escaping from an abusive situation, I urge you to contact Florida’s Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119.