If you've been abused by your partner, or are afraid of your partner's
intimidating behavior, the following information can help. Always remember
that you have the right to feel safe in your relationship. You are not alone.
There are several agencies that can help.
Unless otherwise noted, area code for these phone numbers is (321).
| Counseling |
|
| Family Counseling Center |
632-5792 |
| Circles of Care - 24-hour information line |
722-5200 |
| Alcoholics Anonymous |
724-2247 |
| Help Line (24 hrs) |
631-8944 |
| Women's Center |
242-3110 or 449-1144 |
| Direct services
for battered persons |
|
| Florida Domestic Violence Hotline |
800-500-1119 |
| Florida Abuse Hotline |
800-96-ABUSE |
| Salvation Army (shelter/hotline) |
631-2764 |
| Serene Harbor (shelter/hotline) |
726-8282 |
| Women's Center (Information, counseling,
advocacy and legal representation for injunctions) |
242-3110 or 449-1144 |
| Education and
employment |
|
| Florida Job Service |
North Brevard: 383-2735
Central Brevard: 690-3220
South Brevard: 984-4831 |
| WENDI Program - Brevard Community College |
632-1111, ext 6-5516 |
| Women's Center WOW |
242-3110 |
| Financial aid
and other services |
|
Brevard County Family & Children Services
(Emergency assistance with rent & utilities) |
633-1951 |
| Child Care Association |
North Brevard: 383-5103
Central Brevard: 634-3500
South Brevard: 726-4040 |
Florida Department of Children and Families
Services
(AFDC, Food Stamps) |
North Brevard: 383-5210
Central Brevard: 690-3710
South Brevard: 984-4710
Seniors (over age 60): 726-2800 |
| Sharing Center |
North Brevard: 269-6555
Central Brevard: 631-0306
South Brevard: 727-8581 |
| Child Support Enforcement |
690-2100 |
| Health services |
|
| Health Department |
454-7100 |
| H.O.P.E. Clinic |
434-8640 |
| Wuesthoff Community Wellness Clinic |
632-4040 |
| Legal services and
information |
|
| Legal aid |
631-2500 |
| Lawyer referral service |
636-5344 |
| State's attorney |
617-7510 |
| Clerk of Court offices |
Titusville: 264-5256
Viera: 952-4604
Melbourne: 952-4604 |
| Women's Center (for assistance with injunctions) |
242-3110 or 449-1144 |
| Parenting |
|
| Yellow Umbrella |
951-7179 |
Here's a checklist of things you need to take when you leave?
- Identification
- Driver's license, car title, and registration
- Children's birth certificates
- Your birth and marriage certificates
- Money, credit cards, ATM card, telephone card
- Injunction order
- Lease, rental agreement, house deed
- Checkbooks, bank books, and withdrawal slips
- Health insurance or medical card
- Insurance papers
- House and car keys
- Medications or prescriptions
- Small objects you can sell
- Address book
- Pictures
- Medical records for all family members
- Social security card for self and children
- Welfare identification
- School records
- Work permits
- Green card/immigration papers
- Passport(s), for yourself and children
- Divorce papers, including custody order
- Jewelry
- Pets, if you can. (Call Central Brevard Humane Society at 259-3400
for possible assistance.)
- Children's small toys
- Other __________________________________________________
Stay safe during an explosive incident
- If an argument seems unavoidable, try to have it in a room or area
with an exit and not in the bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere near dangerous
instruments or weapons.
- Practice how to get out of your home safely. Identify which windows,
elevator, or stairs would be best.
- Have a packed bag ready and keep in a secret, but accessible place
so you can leave quickly.
- Identify a neighbor you can tell about the violence and ask to call
the police if a disturbance is heard coming from your home.
- Devise a code word to use with your children, family, friends, and
neighbors when you need the police.
- Decide and plan where you'll go if you leave home (even if you don't
think you'ill need to).
- If the situation is very dangerous, use your own instincts and judgments
to keep yourself safe. Call the police as soon as it is safe to do so.
Stay safe when preparing to leave
- Determine who will let you stay with them or lend you some money.
- Always try to take your children with you or make arrangements to
leave them with someone safe.
- Leave money, extra keys, and copies of important documents and clothes
with someone you trust.
- Open a savings account in your own name to establish and increase
your financial independence.
- Keep phone numbers for shelters close by and keep change or a calling
card with you at all times.
- Review your safety plan with a domestic violence advocate to plan
the safest way to leave your abuser.
Stay safe on the job and in public
- At work, decide whom you'll tell about your situation. This should
include office or building security (provide a picture of your abuser
if possible).
- Arrange to have someone screen your telephone calls if possible.
- Devise a safety plan for when you leave work. Have someone escort
you to your car, bus, or train. Use a variety of routes to go home if
possible. Think about what you would do if something happened while
going home.
Stay safe with an injunction for protection
(restraining order)
- If you are being physically or sexually abused or threatened, there
are laws to protect you. Under Florida Statutes 741.30 and 784.146,
you have the right to go to court and file a petition requesting an
injunction for protection from domestic violence. This petition tells
the judge what physical or sexual violence you have suffered and exactly
what protection you need.
- Seek legal help in filing an injunction for protection.
- Go to the Clerk of Court's office in the most convenient county courthouse.
Bring identification and any papers related to your case.
- You can file a petition even if you cannot afford to pay the court
fees. Tell the Clerk that you cannot afford the $50 fee and you will
be asked to provide some information for a waiver petition.
- Keep your copy of the injunction with you at all times. Leave extra
copies at work, with a friend, in your car, etc.
- Call the police if your partner violates the terms of the injunctions.
- Think of alternative ways to keep safe if the police do not respond
right away.
- Inform family, friends, and neighbors that you have an injunction
order in effect.
- Try to avoid places where your abuser might go.
Stay safe in your home
- Inform your neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives
with you and that they should call the police if they see your abuser
near your home.
- Rehearse the safety plan with your children for when you're not with
them.
- Inform your children's school or day care about who has permission
to pick up your children. (Give a copy of the injunction to school authorities.)
- Change/add locks on your doors and windows as soon as possible.
- Change your telephone number.
Your safety and emotional health
- If you're thinking of returning to a potentially abusive situation,
discuss an alternative plan with someone you trust.
- If you have to communicate with your partner, determine the safest
way.
- Have positive thoughts about yourself and be assertive with others
about your needs.
- Join a support group. Plan to attend for at least two weeks to gain
support from others and learn more about yourself and the relationship.
- Decide whom you can call freely and openly to give you the support
you need.
- Read articles, books, and poetry to help you feel stronger.
- Take care of yourself through regular exercise. Yoga, Tai Chi, etc.
have proven to help heal the mind, body, and spirit.
Are you in an abusive situation?
Warning signs of domestic violence
Suggestions for helping
Did you get flowers today?
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