Mission Statement

Our mission is to create a violence free world by empowering women and children through the elimination of personal and institutional violence and oppression against all people. FCADV provides leadership, advocacy, education, training, technical assistance, public policy and development, and support to domestic violence center programs.

Herstory

In 1977 fourteen shelters in Florida formed a network of battered women's advocates known as the Refuge Information Network. Several years later, this same organization was incorporated as the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV). FCADV was founded on principles of cooperation and unity among shelters. Today, FCADV serves as the professional association for Florida's 42 domestic violence centers. The mission of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence is to work towards ending violence through public awareness, policy development, and support for Florida's domestic violence centers.

FCADV operates Florida's toll-free domestic violence hotline (1-800-500-1119), linking callers to the nearest domestic violence center and provides translation assistance when needed. In addition, FCADV maintains a resource library of books, periodicals, and videos regarding domestic violence issues. FCADV has also developed posters, brochures, safety plans, and other resources. Many of these are available in several languages and may be ordered through FCADV.

FCADV's Training and Technical Assistance Department offers on-site training and technical assistance to domestic violence center staff and other professionals working with domestic violence victims and their children. Should you or your organization require training or technical assistance on domestic violence, please call 1-850-425-2749 or FAX 1-850-425-3091 to request these. FCADV is prepared to provide the assistance directly or link you to an experienced domestic violence professional that will be able to meet your requirements.

FCADV administers state and federal funding earmarked for Florida's 42 certified domestic violence centers. As such, we possess a comprehensive quality assurance department responsible for ensuring both administrative and programmatic standards are achieved. FCADV partners with the certified centers to ensure optimum provision of services to victims of domestic violence and their children.

FCADV serves as the primary voice for victims of domestic violence and their children in the public policy arena. We work closely with the Executive and Legislative branches to create and implement public policy that strengthens penalties for batterers and enhances services for survivors of domestic violence. Through this effort, Florida continues to have some of the strongest domestic violence public policy in the country.

What is Domestic Violence?

As defined in law

741.28 Domestic violence; definitions. --As used in ss. 741.28-741.31: "Department" means the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

"Domestic violence" means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member.

"Family or household member" means spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, persons who are presently residing together as if a family or who have resided together in the past as if a family, and persons who are parents of a child in common regardless of whether they have been married. With the exception of persons who have a child in common, the family or household members must be currently residing or have in the past resided together in the same single dwelling unit.

"Law enforcement officer" means any person who is elected, appointed, or employed by any municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof who meets the minimum qualifications established in s. 943.13 and is certified as a law enforcement officer under s. 943.1395.

Domestic Violence is an Epidemic

One-quarter to one-half of women around the world have suffered violence from an intimate partner. UNICEF, The Progress of Nations, 1997
In 1999, persons age 12 or older experienced 791,210 violence crimes by an intimate partner. Women were victims of 85% of the crimes. National Crime Victimization Survey, 1999
From 1993 to 1999, intimate partners killed 45% of all female murder victims age 20-24. Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2001
Women age 35-49 were the most vulnerable to intimate partner murder. Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2001
A study of public school girls found that 1 in 5 girls surveyed reported physical or sexual abuse by a date. Journal of the American Medical Association, August 2001
In Florida, there were 120,697 acts of domestic violence reported to law enforcement in 2003. Florida Department of Law Enforcement website
In fiscal year 2003-2004, Florida's domestic violence centers responded to 132,629 crisis calls, provided counseling services to 197,787 individuals, and provided emergency shelter to 14,467 individuals, primarily women and children. Florida Department of Children and Families and Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence statistics, July 2004

Florida Domestic Violence Hotline

FCADV operates the statewide domestic violence hotline. Information is available in English, Spanish, and Creole. From anywhere in Florida, a survivor can access the nearest domestic violence center for emergency services by dialing 1-800-500-1119 and pressing the number 1 after the prompt answers. Legal advice, referrals, and information for victims are available by pressing 3 on the menu. To speak with the FCADV administrative office or obtain resources from the statewide library, press 4 on the menu.

FLORIDA COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
All calls to FCADV and services provided by FCADV are confidential.
425 Office Plaza Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone (850) 425-2749 ‡ FAX (850) 425-3091
Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
TTY Hotline: 1-800-621-4202