Domestic Violence Resources and Victims’ Rights in Volusia County, Central Florida, and Nationwide

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If it is not safe to speak, consider using a web chat option from a safer device or location. Some abusive partners monitor phones, email, and browsing history, so use caution and clear your history if needed. Florida DCF includes a safety warning and a statewide locator for certified domestic violence centers here: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/domestic-violence/find-your-local-domestic-violence-center/

For Volusia County, Florida, the primary local domestic violence provider is the Domestic Abuse Council (also known as the Beacon Center). You can learn about services and how to reach them at https://www.dacvolusia.org/ If you need immediate help and want a hotline number, the Beacon Center listing shows a 24/7 hotline at 386-255-2102: https://www.domesticshelters.org/help/fl/daytona-beach/32114/beacon-center

If you need information on filing for protection in Volusia County, the Volusia Clerk of Court Family Law page includes an Injunctions section and contact information: https://www.clerk.org/family-law.aspx The Clerk also publishes “Instructions for Filing an Injunction for Protection,” which explains the basic filing process and notes that Florida statutes removed filing fees for several types of protection injunctions, including domestic violence: https://www.clerk.org/pdf/CL-0394-InstructionsforFilingAllInjunctions.pdf For a statewide overview of protective injunctions in Florida and what they generally cover, Florida Courts provides an “Overview for Petitioners” here: https://www.flcourts.gov/Services/Family-Courts/domestic-and-interpersonal-violence/domestic-violence/overview-for-petitioners

For Central Florida, Harbor House of Central Florida provides domestic violence services and lists its 24-hour confidential crisis hotline at (407) 886-2856. Their contact page is here: https://www.harborhousefl.com/give-help/about/contact/ Their main “Get Help” page also lists the hotline prominently: https://www.harborhousefl.com/ If your situation involves court or injunction support in Orange County, Harbor House describes legal advocacy and system navigation support here: https://www.harborhousefl.com/get-help/justice/

Also in Central Florida, the Victim Service Center of Central Florida provides free and confidential services for victims of sexual assault, violent crime, and traumatic circumstances, and is identified as the certified rape crisis center for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. Their main site is https://victimservicecenter.org/ and their contact page is https://victimservicecenter.org/contact-us/

Across Florida, if you are not sure which program serves your county, the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence provides a statewide “Find Help Near You” pathway at https://www.fpedv.org/ Florida DCF also explains that Florida has certified domestic violence centers and describes services at https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/domestic-violence/office-domestic-violence/

Nationally, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential support 24/7/365 by phone, chat, and more at https://www.thehotline.org/ Another nationwide option is VictimConnect Resource Center, which offers confidential support, information, and referrals for victims of crime, including call or text at 1-855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) and online chat. Their main site is https://victimconnect.org/ and the DOJ Office for Victims of Crime also lists VictimConnect and other hotlines here: https://ovc.ojp.gov/help-for-victims/toll-free-text-and-online-hotlines If you want a federal “starting point” for resources for victims and survivors, the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women maintains a resource page here: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-victims-and-survivors

Many survivors also ask about their rights after being attacked. In Florida, victims’ rights are often discussed under “Marsy’s Law,” which includes rights such as being treated with fairness and respect and being free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse. A helpful plain-language explanation appears on a Florida State Attorney Office victim support page here: https://www.sao12.org/victim-support/victims-rights-constitutional-revision-marsy-s-law-effective-1-8-2019/

Financial recovery is another common concern. Florida’s Attorney General Bureau of Victim Compensation explains the program and provides forms and contact information here: https://www.myfloridalegal.com/victim-compensation The Attorney General also provides a Crime Victims Services page that points to the same assistance and contact pathways here: https://www.myfloridalegal.com/crime-victims-services/crime-victims-services

This page is for general information and resource navigation, not legal advice.