October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Lake County Clerk’s Office staff gathered much-needed supplies for local survivors of domestic abuse in support of The Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties.
“Abuse comes in different forms. It’s not only physical violence, it can also be sexual violence, threats, or emotional abuse by one intimate partner against another,” said Gary Cooney, Lake County Clerk & Comptroller. “This year, our team stepped up by gathering donations during October to support those who have fled a horrible situation, and are seeking assistance from The Haven.”
In the past year, the Lake County Clerk’s Office processed 1,521 petitions for domestic violence injunctions. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. In Florida alone, more than 105,000 cases of domestic violence were reported in 2019, but many more incidents go unreported.
The Haven of Lake & Sumter Counties, Inc., was established in 1977 to meet the needs of domestic violence victims. In the 30+ years of existence, Haven has expanded its base of services and today provides comprehensive, services to victims of domestic violence and sexual violence.
If you are the victim of domestic violence, contact the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 500-1119 or contact local law enforcement. For more information about The Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties, Inc., visit their website at www.havenlakesumter.org, or to make a donation, visit their Leesburg Outreach office at 2600 South St., Leesburg.
