With domestic violence on the rise, the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners and the Family Life Center are raising awareness.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
The good news: Florida's crime rate is at a 39-year low. The bad news: The report released April 7 by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reflected a 15.6% increase in domestic violence-related murders, and a 71.4% increase in domestic violence manslaughters. One out of every three girls and one out of every six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
"These statistics are devastating, but we must remember they're not just numbers on a report," said Diana Christen, CEO of the Family Life Center. "Each report represents women, men and children whose lives have been turned upside down by someone who is supposed to love them.
"We must never forget that 232 people were killed by someone they once trusted, someone they once loved," she said, adding that one of the victims was a Palm Coast resident.
Those statistics, coupled with the growing concern over the lack of reporting of sexual violence crimes, encouraged the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners to declare April Sexual Assault Awareness Month, putting the county in line with the national movement.
"We're blessed to have great partnerships with the county, the school district and the school board," Christen said. "Because they support our efforts, we are able to reach even more Flagler County citizens."
But Christen is still concerned, and she's hopeful the recent declaration can bring awareness now more than ever.
"We hope that one day the violence will end as a result of people understanding what the violence actually does to another person," she said.
As part of the education emphasis, staff of the Family Life Center has appeared at Matanzas High School and will head to Flagler Palm Coast High School next month. At Matanzas, the center conducted more than 70 classroom presentations, teaching students about dating violence, bullying and other topics.
"Our hope is to not only intervene with some of the students who are experiencing it, but we're hoping to prevent it for years to come," Christen said. "(Education) begins in the home, but it also becomes a soceital issue because it infiltrates into our schools, and then it really becomes everybody's issue."
Through the James F. Holland Foundation, County Commissioner Milissa Holland has been an advocate of sexual assault awareness.
"Our children are suffering from sexual abuse," Holland said. "Although it's an uncomfortable conversation to have, it's a necessary one to help them overcome their challenges and support these victims."
The Family Life Center has been in Flagler County since 1987, and there are currently 20 people staying at the shelter, along with another 18 in transitional housing. Emergency shelter, crisis counseling and court advocacy are among the most-used services the Family Life Center provides to more than 500 individuals annually.
Victims or others with questions should call the 24-hour crisis hotline at 437-3505, or go to www.flcsafehouse.org. To donate food, clothes or supplies to the Family Life Center, call 437-7610.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
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