Posted: October 6, 2017
Honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and the Pinellas County Clerk's office is once again dedicating several activities to help raise awareness of this serious and preventable crime. It is a time to come together and show our support for ending domestic violence, supporting domestic violence survivors and educating the community.
In the last year, well over 4,000 Injunction for Protection petitions (commonly called Restraining Orders) were filed with our office. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.
Many times, our office is the first stop for domestic violence victims. Our Domestic Violence department offers many resources for victims, including information on Filing an Injunction and a helpful "how-to" video on Filing an Injunction.
Be sure to read and share our Domestic Violence Safety Plan and Injunction for Protection brochure
This year, our DVAM campaign includes t-shirts, badges, wristbands and candle light displays to help "shine a light on the cause." Clerk employees will donate items for domestic violence shelters in the area and wear purple on three special occasions to show our support for the eradication of domestic violence.
- Turn Pinellas Purple - Tuesday, October 17th
- National Wear Purple - Thursday, October 19th
- Dress Down Day - Friday, October 27th
During the entire month of October, representatives from CASA will have a table at our St. Petersburg branch and representatives from the Haven will have a table at the Clearwater courthouse in order to provide citizens with informational pamphlets and answer any questions they may have.
Please know that if you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, there is help. We are a resource for those affected, both directly and indirectly, by domestic violence year-round.
Call the Clerk's Customer Information Center (727) 464-7000 if you have any questions Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If calling after hours, please call our abuse hotline at (727) 464-4933.