In a move to streamline support for domestic violence survivors, Harbor House of Central Florida is charting a course to establish a Family Justice Center in Orange County. According to WFTV, plans are in place to kick off with a study tour in January, setting the stage for a facility that aims to centralize essential resources for those impacted by family violence.
The first Family Justice Center opened its doors in San Diego in 2002, and now it’s Orange County's turn to fold multiple services into one location for the ease of survivors. “By co-locating services, family justice centers create a one-stop shop for survivors and their families,” Michelle Sperzel, CEO of Harbor House, explained in a statement reported by ClickOrlando. Alongside this, the legal landscape is adapting, with Senate Bill 758 recently introduced to enhance protections for survivors, elevating misuse of tracking devices to a third-degree felony.
This development parallels another supportive tool unveiled by the Orange County Clerk of Court - the Hope Card. The free, wallet-sized card helps law enforcement quickly identify if an injunction has been filed in a relationship, offering a tangible lifeline to those shielded by a protective court order. The strategy underscores a community-wide commitment to confronting domestic violence at a time when Harbor House has tackled over 8,000 hotline calls and provided shelter to hundreds of adults and children.
Reflecting on the strides made and the path forward, Sperzel emphasized the importance of open dialogue in battling abuse. "The more we talk about abuse. The more we name it, it reduces someone’s fear. It reduces someone’s shame and reduces their barriers to coming forward" Sperzel detailed, as cited by ClickOrlando. With the Orange County Sheriff's Office dealing with thousands of domestic violence-related calls this year alone, resources like those planned by Harbor House could be critical in fostering a more responsive and cohesive support system for survivors.
Those facing domestic abuse and in need of guidance or intervention are urged to contact Harbor House's hotline at 407-886-2856 for immediate help.
