In 2022, the most current statistics available, there were 13,212 cases of domestic violence reported to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for Polk, Hardee, and Highlands Counties. Many more cases go unreported.
Take Action During Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a time to increase understanding about DV and work to prevent it. One way you can help is by sharing resources like Peace River Center Victim Services 24-hour domestic violence hotlines:
- Hardee/Highlands Counties: 863.386.1167
- Polk County: 863.413.2700
Share our 24-Hour Hotlines
Hardee/Highlands 863.386.1167
Polk 863.413.2700
Know the DV Warning Signs
Donate to Support Survivors and Their Kids
Participate in Wear Purple Day
on October 16.
Learn more about DV Myths and Facts
Attend events
10.15.25
Stand #WithSurvivors
Sebring Circle, Sebring, FL
From 10 am – 11 am
10.21.25
Stand #WithSurvivors
Munn Park, Lakeland, FL
From 10 am – 11 am
Attend events:
10.25.25
Cake Decorating for Survivors
Sebring
Email: Melissa.Irving@PeaceRiverCenter.org for more information.
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is violent or aggressive behavior within the home. While it typically involves the violent abuse of a spouse or partner, it can also happen between two family members such as a mother and daughter or siblings.
Who is a victim?
A victim is someone subjected to intimate partner violence or domestic violence.
Who is considered a survivor?
While the terms "victim" and "survivor" are often used interchangeably, we consider a survivor someone who is actively seeking to live a violence-free life by utilizing resources like PRC Victim Services.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Every October organizations across the world focus on increasing awareness about domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched nationwide in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues while raising awareness for those issues. Over the past 30+ years, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors, to hold abusers accountable, and to create and update legislation to further those goals.
Domestic Violence Myths and Facts
Client Testimonial
Before my abusive relationship experience, I never understood why a woman would stay in a relationship with an abuser. It was very cut and dry to me, and didn’t make any sense. What I didn’t realize from the outside is the abuse doesn’t necessarily start out in a very obvious way: it creeps in slowly like a poisonous gas. The more you breathe in the gas the less clear your thoughts become. By the time things starts happening that a sane person would recognize as abuse, it’s generally too late-you are no longer quite “sane.” Your sense of what has happened has been completely distorted by exhausting mental games and emotional torment. Your perception of reality has been twisted and manipulated so severely, you are no longer certain what to believe or even who you are. I think if someone hasn’t experienced that, it’s almost impossible to understand that you actually can be driven (temporarily) mad by another person. It’s also because most abuse happens privately. If you weren’t a victim, you probably only saw his best, most charming face- and if that was the person you “knew” it would be hard to imagine the dark truth of what happens behind closed doors.
What is domestic violence?
It is a pattern of controlling behaviors— violence or threats of violence—that one person uses to establish power over an intimate partner in order to control that partner’s actions and activities. Domestic violence is not a disagreement, a marital spat, or an anger management problem. Domestic violence is abusive, disrespectful, and hurtful behaviors that one intimate partner chooses to perpetrate against the other partner.
Domestic Violence Services
Peace River Center’s Domestic Violence Program provides free, confidential services for individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking crimes, their family members and friends in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.
Crisis Lines
Victim Services Office Line
