Eight year domestic violence strategic plan

Leisa Wiseman, Florida Coalition against Domestic Violence, External & Internal Affairs Director, told the St. Augustine local news desk that February has been designated by Congress as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month”.

In partnership with the state steering committee for Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership through Alliances, the Florida Coalition against Domestic Violence has released their strategic plan to prevent intimate partner violence in Florida.

The plan is entitled “Building Florida’s Capacity to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence: Eight Year Strategic Plan”.

Domestic violence remains one of Florida’s leading social problems. In 2008, 113,123 incidents of domestic violence were reported to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and 67,615 arrests made for domestic violence. In that same year, domestic violence offenses accounted for approximately 89% of violent crimes including 180 murders. To prevent this public safety and public health problem, the plan emphasizes work with youth and adults to promote non-violent and respectful relationships. The plan outlines community and state level strategies to achieve six primary goals: to promote youth involvement, positive social norms, healthy relationship policies, improve data systems, state and local collaborations, and education.

“As we recognize February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we are reminded that the Strategic Plan is a very important tool that guides our statewide efforts to prevent domestic violence before it occurs. These efforts will ultimately lead to safer families and communities throughout Florida.” said Tiffany Carr, President and CEO of the Florida Coalition against Domestic Violence.

The Florida Coalition against Domestic Violence, DELTA State Steering Committee, and Florida’s certified domestic violence centers are engaging communities throughout the state in implementing the strategic plan. Building Florida’s Capacity to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence: Eight Year Strategic Plan was supported by grant number CE-05039 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About the Florida Coalition against Domestic Violence
Florida Coalition against Domestic Violence serves as the professional association for Florida’s 42 certified domestic violence centers and is the primary representative of survivors and their children in the public policy arena. The Coalition works to end violence by providing leadership, advocacy, education, training, technical assistance, public policy development, public awareness and support to certified domestic violence centers in Florida. St. Johns County’s certified domestic violence and sexual violence center is Betty Griffin House. If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced domestic or sexual violence, please call the Betty Griffin House hotline at (904) 824-1555 or the Florida State Hotline at 1-800-500-1119.