October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October was first declared as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989. Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and be a voice for its victims. Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.

Although there has been substantial progress in reducing domestic violence, an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner, and 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. Millions of Americans live in daily, silent fear within their own homes. In addition, every year millions of children are exposed to domestic violence. 

 FSU Institute for Family Violence Studies - Domestic Violence Resources

Florida State University is partnering with the Tallahassee Domestic Violence Coordinating Council on local events to bring attention to the issues related to domestic violence. - read article

During the first week of October, the Florida Capitol will be lit up in purple, the color of domestic violence awareness.

 

 

The Florida Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) Program collects domestic violence data for any assault, battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, or criminal offense resulting in the physical injury or death of one family or household member by another who is or was residing in the same single dwelling unit. 

reference:  Domestic Violence - Victim to Offender Relationships website

• 104,914 reported incidents of domestic violence in 2018
• 196 domestic violence-related Criminal Homicide  - The most common victim to offender relationships were Spouses (36%) followed by Co-habitants (18%) and children of the offender (17%)
• 19 domestic violence-related Manslaughter - Eleven victims were the children of the offenders
• 1,783 domestic violence Forcible Rape - Victims were the children of the offenders (22%) and classified as Other Family (21%)
• 841 domestic violence Forcible Fondling - Victims classified as Other Family (37%) and children of the offenders (27%)
• 160 domestic violence victims Aggravated Stalking - Victims classified as Other (44%) and as Spouse (34%)
• Over 25% of domestic violence Threat/Intimidation victims were classified as Spouse and 21% classified as Other

 

City of Orlando - Domestic Violence

Every year, Orlando Police respond to nearly 3,000 domestic violence calls.  Our officers see, on a daily basis, violence committed by abusers who promised to love and protect the victim.

InVEST > The Intimate Violence Enhanced Services Team (InVEST) is a unique program designed to provide intensive service management and assistance to individuals identified to be in potentially lethal situations.

It Takes Courage > In August 2011, the City partnered with Harbor House of Central Florida and launched It Takes Courage, a domestic violence community education campaign aimed at dramatically reducing and even stopping domestic abuse. 

DVRT > The Orlando Police Department has the only Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) in Central Florida.

Orange County’s Domestic Violence Commission Launches “Together We Can End Domestic Violence” Community Message | October 4, 2021