In a move hailed as crucial for survivors of domestic violence in Orange County, community leaders have started laying the groundwork for a Family Justice Center. The proposed center aims to streamline support by offering a single point of access to various resources for those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. According to a report by ClickOrlando, the concept is to create a 'one-stop shop' where survivors can find law enforcement, advocates, therapists, and judicial support in one secured space.
Alliance for Hope International’s president, Casey Gwinn, as per ClickOrlando, emphasized the life-saving impact of the centers during a presentation, "Survivors won’t have to go from place to place, telling their story over and over again. Instead, they’ll have one safe space for the support they need." Gwinn’s organization is known for advocating such centers, which have been shown to reduce domestic violence homicides to zero for those utilizing the service. The initiative’s early stage involves a study tour to observe established centers nationwide, funded by influential backers like the DeVos Family Foundation and the Universal Orlando Foundation, the latter supporting a managerial position for the center.
Harbor House of Central Florida, a part of the Orange County Domestic Violence Commission, is spearheading this endeavor in collaboration with the Family Justice Center Alliance. As WESH reported, the center is not just an aggregation of services but a symbol of the power of collective action, with the potential to significantly alter the trajectory of both children and adults impacted by violence. "When the power of 'we' comes together and Harbor House is marshaling all those forces to make this happen, and city government gets involved and county government gets involved, we can do this," Gwinn told the gathered audience at the Citrus Club.
Harbor House's Daniel Ortiz referred to the project as "monumental" for the area's survivors. With over 300 such centers worldwide, the planned Family Justice Center in Orange County could be the second but the largest in Florida following Pinellas County's establishment. Planning processes are in place, with a report on the current state of services in the area scheduled to be penned and a formal strategic planning session for June.
