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Domestic Violence Can Happen to Anyone

Resources for Your Safety and Well-Being

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Support is Standing By

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: For confidential support and resources, please call 800-799-7233 or text 88788.
     

  • Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: For young people experiencing abuse or wanting to learn more about healthy relationships, call 866-311-9474.
     

  • The Deaf Hotline: For individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, call 855-812-1001.
     

  • Talk to a Friend: Reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or colleague can be a crucial first step. You deserve to be heard and supported by those who care about you.

Tools for a Safe Exit Plan

  • Secure Important Documents: Keep a copy of your ID, birth certificate, social security card, and other essential documents in a safe, accessible place.
     

  • Prepare an Emergency Bag: Pack a small bag with clothes, medication, and a little bit of cash. Keep it hidden at a trusted friend's or family member's house.
     

  • Establish a Code Word: Choose a secret word or phrase to use with trusted friends or family that signals you need help and for them to call for you.

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Safe Places to Go

Finding a safe place to stay is essential. In the St. Petersburg area,
these organizations offer immediate shelter and support:
 

211 Tampa Bay Cares

Call 211 or Text Your Zip Code to 898211


CASA
727-895-4912 or casapinellas.org


The Haven of RCS

727-442-4128 or rcspinellas.org

Life coaching

Breaking the Cycle

Ending domestic violence requires courage from everyone involved. If you are someone who struggles to control your temper and wants to change, there is help available for you as well. Ending the cycle of abuse starts with seeking professional help to understand and change your behavior.
 

  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline can provide referrals to programs and resources for people who want to stop being abusive.
     

  • Seek help by finding a counselor who understands the dynamics of abusive relationships.
     

Change is Possible


While a very low percentage of abusers truly change, for those who want to break the cycle of abuse, taking accountability is critical. Attending a certified batterer intervention program can be a critical first step.

Prevalence of Domestic Violence

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  • 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner.

  • Intimate partner violence affects more than 12 million people each year.

  • 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men have been a victim of stalking, in which they felt fearful or believed they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed.

  • 30% to 60% of intimate partner violence perpetrators also abuse children in the household.

  • 1 in 10 high school students has experienced physical violence from a dating partner in the past year.

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Source: National Domestic Violence Hotline

Know the Warning Signs

The National Domestic Violence Hotline recognizes several warning signs that are commonly associated with abusive behavior. Just one or two of these behaviors in your relationship is a strong indication that abuse may be present. Below are just a few examples.
 

  • Tell you that you never do anything right.
     

  • Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them.
     

  • Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people.
     

  • Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school.
     

  • Insulting your parenting or threatening to harm or take away your children or pets.

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