October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in Florida, shelters for survivors have rarely been so full. That leaves many victims with little choice but to stay with their abusers.
The problem is driven by the ongoing housing crisis and compounded by Hurricane Idalia.
It’s especially concerning in Taylor County, where the storm landed and which is now facing major job loss as the local paper mill prepares to close.
Emily Mitchem is executive director of Refuge House, which serves counties in the Big Bend.
“There’s just a lot of particularly women in our community who are either experiencing domestic violence or are at high risk of domestic violence, and the housing crisis has greatly impacted their ability to get away from abusers.”
Even if the victims get away, Mitchem says, the lack of stable housing options can put them at risk yet again – especially if they have children.
