Safe Space | Florida DCF

Safe Space - The Department’s Domestic Violence Initiative: Equipping Florida’s faith-based and community organizations with the tools to address the impact of domestic violence in their local communities.

Faith-based communities are an integral part of a community’s response and prevention of domestic violence. These partners not only provide support for their community; they also facilitate optimal opportunities for impact across the lifespan from youth and kids’ programs, marital and partners groups, and groups for individuals to address a variety of life challenges. The Department is committed to connecting individuals in crisis with these pillars of resiliency to best support survivors, perpetrators, and their families as they seek safety.

The Department's provides a three-tiered approach to its Safe Space initiative:

Training and Technical Assistance

Ongoing trainings will be offered to all faith leaders, local faith believers, and religious community groups interested in increasing their knowledge on domestic violence and learn ways to support their community in the prevention of violence. Technical assistance will be provided to leaders who have received more advanced designations.

Training topics will include, but are not limited to:

Introduction to domestic violence, financial abuse, and prevention
Bystander intervention through faith
Certified domestic violence center services
Coordinated community response

Domestic Violence (DV) Chaplain and Sanctuary Designation

Faith leaders will have the opportunity to be designated as a DV Chaplain. Participants will receive specialized training on basic issues related to domestic violence and access to relevant resources and a network of peers focused on using faith to support their local communities.

Requirements:

Completion of specialized training curriculum and annual training hours
Background screening
Annual domestic violence awareness message
Annual engagement with local certified domestic violence center
Annual reporting on local efforts

For organizations interested in furthering its involvement in ensuring its congregation is deemed safe and DV-informed, the Sanctuary Designation option is also available.

Community Connections

All faith leaders will have the opportunity to engage in community-level networking and discussion related to domestic violence. Participants can engage in quarterly communities of practice (statewide/regional workgroups) and coordinated community faith-based subcommittees.

The purpose of this tier is to broaden community engagement of faith leaders with multidisciplinary partners focused on the reduction of domestic violence.