Florida Domestic Violence Coalition Dissolved

On March 12, the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) was officially dissolved by a judge in Leon County. The Coalition has been under fire for alleged misuse of state and federal funds, mostly in compensating their CEO Tiffany Carr as much as $7.5 million per year. The FCADV will almost certainly be ordered into receivership, which means that their finances will be scrutinized. In the meantime, however, domestic violence shelters around the state are facing serious financial problems, and may experience trouble trying to help their clientele. If you are in a domestic violence situation, you need to know you have options – even if they may be somewhat underfunded.

An Attorney Can Help

Domestic violence in Florida is when a family or household member commits any criminal offense that results in physical injury or death of any other family or household member. Sometimes the definition of ‘family or household member’ is unclear, but the law generally holds it to mean a person with whom you have resided (or reside with now), such as a spouse, roommate, or co-parent. There is one exception to the residence rule, and that is a co-parent, who does not have to live in the same house with you to be on the proverbial hook for domestic violence.

The role of a domestic violence shelter is a crucial one in helping a person escape their abused situation, in the sense that it gives a fleeing spouse a place to lay low and regroup. It is extremely difficult to leave a domestic violence situation, but an attorney can be of great help if you succeed in doing so. They can advise you on the rights you have in any specific situation relating to your abuser, and they know the details on what must be shown in order to prove domestic abuse beyond a reasonable doubt.

Shelters Open During Crisis

Domestic violence shelters in Florida have been going through a period of difficulty, between the funding crises precipitated by the Coalition, and now the increased financial pressures of the COVID-19 crisis – yet as of this writing, they intend to stay open and not turn anyone away, despite finance issues and understaffing. Studies have shown that “isolation” and “economic hardship” may lead to a spike in domestic violence situations, as it often does in situations involving man-made disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes. China has already reported noticeable increases in the numbers of domestic disputes that occurred during the country’s quarantine.

There is no specific evidence as of this writing that this trend will be replicated in the United States. However, an abuser always wants control, and it is difficult to conceive of a situation wherein the possibility of asserting total control is higher than in a quarantine. If you are in danger, it is crucial that you know that Florida’s shelters can still offer assistance, even in the midst of what may be limited options to get away from your abuser.

Can A West Palm Beach Domestic Violence Attorney Help You?

Domestic violence is one of the worst situations that most people can imagine being in, and if it does happen to you, it is crucial that you can lean on the allies you have – hopefully, in the near future, a domestic violence coalition will exist within the state that can actually put money where it needs to go. If you want to press charges against an alleged abuser, or if you have questions about potential allegations yourself, the West Palm Beach criminal lawyers at the firm of Perlet, Shiner, Melchiorre & Walsh, P.A. may be able to assist you. Contact our offices today to speak to an attorney.

Resources:

orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/os-ne-health-coronavirus-domestic-violence-shelters-20200317-kwb7gixctfgnxdfuahpatc2pmu-story.html

tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2020/03/12/dissolve-floridas-coalition-against-domestic-violence-yes-says-judge/

https://www.palmbeachdefense.com/have-you-been-arrested-for-domestic-violence/