Guest AuthorDomestic violence is one of the most critical issues affecting Florida’s families and children. You may be surprised to learn that children account for nearly 50 percent of emergency shelter residents at any given time.
During the 2013-14 fiscal year, Florida’s 42 certified domestic violence centers provided emergency shelter to 15,611 individuals — 7,219 of them were children.
Florida’s domestic violence centers are the primary lifeline for domestic violence victims and their children. Through my work with the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV), I have learned that our centers provide comprehensive services to domestic violence survivors and their children.
To increase private revenue for our state’s domestic violence centers, I became a founding board member of the FCADV Foundation. Its goal is to create a statewide, private revenue stream to ensure that life-saving services for domestic violence victims and their children are less dependent on government resources. On Oct. 25, Jeb and I hosted the third annual “Door to Hope” fundraising event that benefits the foundation. The event generated more than $400,000 net revenue, with a three year total of about $1 million.
October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is the month we coordinate our efforts to create a “top of mind awareness” of the impact that domestic violence has in our state. Perhaps you noticed the campaign’s purple bows hanging on a friend’s front door or received an invitation to a fundraising event for your local center. Perhaps you turned on your television to see a Public Service Announcement that displayed the Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline number. And you most likely read guest columns or opinion editorials by celebrities, athletes, elected officials, coaches, domestic violence centers, and even this year’s Miss America, Kira Kazantsev. I thank each person who lent his or her voice to this critical issue.
Last year, I challenged every Floridian to take one step toward preventing domestic violence during each week in October. I received hundreds of responses from moms, dads, and teens. One of my favorites was from a 16-year-old girl named Angela whose mother told her that to earn her allowance she would be required to watch a two-hour video on how to identify the signs of an unhealthy relationship and then tell her family what she learned.
A single father of three sons, ages 12-17, responded that each week at dinner he discussed the importance of respecting girls and treating them appropriately. Countless others donated food, clothes, time, and money to their local shelters.
During the summer, I overheard an advocate working at one of our shelters say “domestic violence happens every day, every week, and every month.” Her words resonated and helped direct the content and the timing of this year’s opinion editorial.
Therefore, I am challenging each of us to commit to one thing each month to help educate our communities and families. You can share with your teenagers about how to approach friends who are in unhealthy relationships. Set aside time and talk with your boys about how to respectfully treat girls. Commit to one action step for the next 12 months. Please email me your action steps throughout the year at [email protected].
For additional information about the FCADV Foundation, www.fcadv.org/foundation.
Columba Bush was the First Lady of Florida from 1999 to 2007 and a Founding Board Member of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence Foundation, Inc. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
