October 2025 - Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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Welcome Note
This month, we’re turning our focus to Domestic Violence Awareness Month and highlighting the housing challenges many survivors face. Domestic violence often has profound and long-lasting effects, which create barriers to safety and stability. As a community, we all play a role in staying informed and supporting survivors in every way we can. If you or someone you know needs legal assistance related to domestic violence, please call our helpline to speak with an attorney.
You are not alone—help is available.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Did You Know…
According to statistics from the National Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men in the United States have experienced some form of violence from an intimate partner. Additionally, 15% of women and 4% of men have been injured as a result of physical violence, stalking, or sexual assault by a domestic partner.
Domestic violence is not limited to physical harm—it can also manifest as psychological abuse, where an abuser uses manipulation, degradation, and control to cause emotional harm. Another common and devastating form is financial abuse and control, which can severely impact a survivor’s long-term stability through damaged credit or rental history, often creating significant barriers to future housing and independence.
On average, it takes a survivor seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship permanently, and the violence often escalates with each attempt. Many survivors face significant emotional, financial, and safety barriers when trying to leave.These repeated efforts reflect the complex realities survivors face—balancing fear, and limited options while trying to build a safer future.
Domestic violence remains one of the leading causes of homelessness among children, with nearly one in four children in the United States having witnessed domestic violence in their homes. Research from Nebraska shows that over 20% of individuals who have been evicted have also experienced domestic violence—highlighting how abuse can create lasting housing challenges for survivors trying to rebuild their lives.
Additionally, nuisance ordinances, which penalize frequent calls to law enforcement, can unintentionally harm survivors seeking help. These ordinances disproportionately affect victims of domestic violence, often placing them at greater risk of housing instability and homelessness.
So What Does It All Mean?
In response to the widespread impact of domestic violence, Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994. This landmark legislation strengthens the criminal justice response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, while also funding essential support services, education, and prevention programs.
Importantly, VAWA provides key housing protections for survivors living in federally subsidized housing. These protections ensure that individuals and their household members—including family, children, or roommates—cannot be denied housing or have their lease terminated because they are victims of domestic violence.
Although VAWA protections do not extend to tenants in private, market-rate housing, the Fair Housing Act’s prohibition of sex discrimination may still offer a pathway for victims to seek protection and fair treatment in those settings.
One crucial aspect of VAWA’s housing protections is the prohibition of housing discrimination based on victimization. This means survivors cannot be denied or evicted from housing simply because of their history with domestic violence. However, many survivors still face challenges such as low credit scores, prior evictions, or frequent police interactions—each a lingering consequence of abuse that can make it harder to find safe and stable housing after leaving.
Moreover, about 65% of women who have experienced domestic violence report symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Because PTSD can significantly affect daily functioning, it may be considered a disability—allowing survivors to request reasonable accommodations under fair housing laws.
What Can We Do?
Our dedicated team of attorneys is here to support victims of domestic violence who are facing housing-related challenges. Whether it involves an eviction, denial of housing due to victimization, or the need for a reasonable accommodation related to a disability, our attorneys are committed to helping survivors understand and protect their rights.
Raising awareness and staying informed about these issues is vital to ensuring safe and fair housing for all. Our team regularly hosts “Know Your Rights” presentations throughout the month, and we would love the opportunity to share this important information with you and your organization.
We also offer support through our Survivor Advocacy Project, which is dedicated to assisting victims of crime. This program helps guide survivors through the criminal justice process while providing advocacy and support along the way.
Be aware that if you were served with an eviction notice, you can call our Eviction Prevention helpline for FREE legal assistance. Call us today at 888-780-0443!
We utilize language line services for tenants with diverse linguistic backgrounds.
If you or someone you know is facing discrimination on the basis of their victimization, or needs legal assistance navigating housing, do not hesitate to give us a call at 407-801-4224 or email us at fairhousing@floridalegal.org
Community Outreach
Upcoming Outreach Events
What We’ve Been Up To
Domestic Violence Resource Fair at the VA
Erika Recek, Director of Survivor Advocacy and member of the Fair Housing Team, along with Lola, attended the Domestic Violence Awareness Month event hosted by the VA’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP). The event featured powerful seminars on domestic violence prevention and moving personal stories from survivors who shared their experiences and resilience.
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we stand in solidarity with survivors and remain committed to amplifying their voices. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please remember — you are not alone. Call our hotline at (800) 500-1119 or (850) 385-0611
Girl’s Place Career & Resource Fair
We were honored to be invited to participate in The Girls Place Career and Resource Fair. The Girls Place is a remarkable organization dedicated to enriching the lives of young women and empowering them to grow into confident, self-sufficient individuals. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to connect with such an inspiring community and support their mission of fostering growth and confidence in the next generation of leaders.
Galen School of Nursing Resource Fair
We are always grateful to be welcomed by the Galen School of Nursing. Lola and Marissa recently joined their team for another resource fair, where they had the opportunity to share valuable information about our legal services with students and staff. We appreciate the continued partnership and the chance to support the Galen community.
National Night Out- Day 1
This month, dozens of National Night Out events took place across neighborhoods throughout Orlando, and we were thrilled to take part in two of them. One of the events was held in Clarcona Ocoee, where the community came together for a wonderful evening filled with local vendors, valuable resources, great music, dancing, and plenty of exciting giveaways. We truly enjoy connecting with community members across the counties we serve and are always grateful for the opportunity to be part of such meaningful events that strengthen our neighborhoods.
Space Coast Apartment Association
We are always grateful when housing provider groups and associations invite us to provide a full-day workshop training on the Fair Housing Act. This month, we got to do so in Melbourne, FL with members of the SCAA. This training covered ‘all of the above’ when it comes to fair housing protections.
Gainesville Housing Authority-Open House
We are excited to share that the Gainesville Housing Authority has officially completed the construction of a new home designed to provide housing for three separate families. In collaboration with several community partners, the Gainesville Housing Authority developed a single family property featuring both an attached and a detached accessory dwelling unit—creating expanded opportunities for local families in need of affordable housing.
We were honored to attend the open house and hear from the dedicated individuals who have worked tirelessly to bring this project to life. We are deeply grateful for our continued partnership and proud to support the meaningful work being done to strengthen the Gainesville community.
National Night Out- Day 2
The second National Night Out event we attended was held in partnership with the Lee Road Safe Neighborhood and celebrated the opening of Open House, a neighborhood social hall dedicated to providing an environment where community members can interact with one another. It was a fantastic evening filled with community resources, local partners, and great conversation. The event also provided a wonderful opportunity to connect and collaborate with other nonprofit organizations, all working together toward the shared goal of better serving our community.
Rise UP! Domestic Violence Conference - Palm Coast, FL
Our project was invited once again to deliver a presentation to conference attendees on the protections available to DV Survivors under VAWA and the Fair Housing Act. The overlap of these laws and standard Landlord/Tenant laws can create a path for better exercise of rights.
Zero Hour Life Center Resource Fair and Fall Festival
Our project had a busy Saturday this month, attending two wonderful community events — the Zero Hour Life Center Resource Fair and the Fall Festival at Bo Diddley Plaza. We had the opportunity to share important housing information with community members and connect with partners who are making a difference. We are especially grateful for our new partnership with the Zero Hour Life Center, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing substance use challenges and homelessness. We look forward to continuing to work together to serve our community.
Canvassing in the Tri-County Area
We always value the opportunity to connect with the more rural counties we serve. This month, our team spent several days canvassing the Tri-County area and attending various meetings in Gilchrist, Dixie, and Levy Counties. Through these efforts, we’ve strengthened our partnerships with the Gilchrist Prevention Team and the Tri-County Resource Center. We are grateful for the chance to learn about new outreach opportunities and explore meaningful ways to engage with rural communities as we continue working to serve the people in these areas.
Financial Empowerment Summit Meeting
As part of our ongoing collaboration with Gainesville Fire Rescue and the City of Gainesville on their Financial Empowerment Summit, our team met to reflect on the success of the summer summit and explore ways to make future events even more impactful. Together, we discussed strategies to enhance sustainability and establish recurring opportunities for community members to access valuable financial resources and support year-round.
Faith Missions Presentation
Our Housing Justice teams recently partnered with Circles Gainesville at Faith Missions as part of their anti-poverty initiative, which is dedicated to helping families transition out of poverty through an 18-month commitment program. Attorneys Pablo Hereter and Brooke Eliazar-Macke led an engaging presentation on fair housing and the eviction process, followed by a thoughtful discussion on housing sustainability and how we, as a community, can better support individuals and families experiencing housing instability. We are grateful for this collaboration and for the opportunity to contribute to such meaningful work.
Child Advocacy Center’s Annual Fundraiser
Our outreach coordinators, Lola and Marissa, attended the annual Child Advocacy Center Fundraiser, an event that celebrates the incredible work the CAC has accomplished — and continues to do — on behalf of children in our community. We are grateful for the opportunity to support and witness the impactful efforts of those who advocate for the well-being and safety of our community’s youth.
Central Florida Community Action Weatherization
Toward the end of the month, we attended the Weatherization Event hosted by the Central Florida Community Action Agency. The event focused on sharing valuable information about ways to reduce utility costs and save energy more efficiently. We’re grateful that workshops like these are available to the community and proud to partner with such dedicated organizations to help bring useful, practical resources to the people who need it.
Hawthorne and Putnam Canvassing
In our continued efforts to reach more counties and rural communities, our team recently tabled at the Hawthorne Resource Center, where we shared valuable Fair Housing and eviction prevention information with attendees. We also visited several resource centers and libraries throughout Putnam County. We’re always appreciative for the opportunity to build new connections and strengthen our relationships with partners in the communities we serve.
Eviction Prevention in Alachua, Brevard, Dixie, Flagler, Gilchrist, Indian River, Lake, Levy, Marion, Orange, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, and Volusia County:
Eviction Prevention Helpline - CALL: 888-780-0443
This helpline supports tenants, in the counties above, facing eviction or other housing-related challenges. Our operators are available to take calls about landlord-tenant disputes, housing authority voucher issues, and other housing concerns impacting low-income renters. Callers will be connected with an attorney who can provide legal advice over the phone and, in some cases, direct legal representation. Call us today to get the help you need!
The federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects you from discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. This applies to renting, buying, mortgages, appraisals, insurance, and looking for a place to live.
IF YOU THINK YOU’VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT:
407-801- 4224 (English)
850-680-1729 (Spanish)
fairhousing@floridalegal.org
www.floridalegal.org/fairhousing
IF YOU ARE AN ALACHUA COUNTY RESIDENT FACING BARRIERS TO HOUSING OR AN EVICTION, PLEASE CALL AND FOLLOW THE PROMPTS TO REACH A LIVE ALACHUA COUNTY OPERATOR:
888-780-0443 (English and Spanish)
www.floridalegal.org/evictionprevention
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.