DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Volusia County’s government on Friday said it had $240,000 available to fund new projects meant to assist domestic violence victims.

Harbor House of Central Florida is one of only a handful of domestic violence organizations in the state to have a kennel on the campus of its shelter.

Since 2012, Harbor House has helped hundreds of pets escape dangerous domestic violence situations with their owners through a special kennel on the Harbor House campus.

A Brevard County deputy was arrested Thursday night after he was accused of battering his live-in girlfriend, according to the sheriff’s office.

A woman faces an attempted murder charge after she threatened a man with a gun and stabbed him in the leg multiple times after he refused to spend Christmas Eve with her, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office released body camera video Thursday that investigators say shows a man attack deputies as they were trying to arrest him.

A woman who was already on probation was arrested, accused of trying to set her ex-boyfriend and his home on fire.

An Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy is on leave without pay after he was arrested, accused of hurting his ex-girlfriend during a fight, according to a news release.

Officials say two Florida sheriff’s deputies fatally shot a man who refused their orders to drop his gun.

Domestic violence calls are increasing in Orange County, leaders say.

The Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General and Associate Attorney General were joined by leadership of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). At the outset of the meeting, Attorney General Garland reaffirmed that combatting gender-based violence has long been and remains today a priority for the Justice Department. The Attorney General discussed the department’s FY 2022 Budget request, which includes an historic investment of $1 billion to support the work of the OVW. He noted that he was serving as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General in 1995 when the Justice Department first established a dedicated office to address domestic violence and sexual assault. Among the Deputy Attorney General’s responsibilities was gathering personal stories from individual survivors to illustrate the dire need for stronger legal protections.

Advocates for domestic violence survivors are speaking out after several recent cases of violence in the Orlando-area.

In an effort to help survivors of domestic abuse and their pets, Harbor House is hosting its 10th annual Paws for Peace Walk.

Authorities in Volusia County arrested a man they say dumped gasoline on his girlfriend.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A death investigation was underway Sunday at the Wekiva Falls RV Resort, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to the resort park in Sorrento Sunday on Wekiva River Road to discover the victims. Officials with the sheriff’s office said a death investigation is underway. It appears to be a murder-suicide and the victims were in a relationship at one time, deputies said. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish at 1-800-273-8255.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Victims of domestic violence at Harbor House will be able to shop a little easier this year for the holidays thanks to Amazon 4-star. The brick-and-mortar store located at Mall at Millenia donated dozens of top selling toys and items for women to help create a “Santa Shop” for families. “We heard Harbor House was in need of donations and we just knew we had to help and jump in,” Krista Selby, Store Manager at Amazon 4-star said. Selby said it took about 20 “Amazon elves” to pick out some of the most popular toys this holiday season for Harbor House. She said shopping this way will make things a bit easier for moms and kids at Harbor House.

Harbor House of Central Florida, a nonprofit that helps domestic violence victims, is getting the support from some big names. It was a big day for Harbor House of Central Florida whose mission is to provide shelter and support to women who are victims of domestic abuse. My father always taught me you have to protect and provide for your women,” O’Neal said. The women and staff at Harbor House will also receive special training from Close the Gap foundation. Start bringing people closer together and start taking care of the people that need our help the most,” he said.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – An argument between a couple escalated into a man killing his girlfriend and shooting their roommate as that woman tried to protect her, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The female roommate was also shot as she tried to shield Pequeen’s girlfriend, according to authorities. After the shooting, deputies said Pequeen pointed the pistol at the male roommate and demanded all their cellphones, which the man handed over. Records show Pequeen ran away from the apartment while the male roommate went to a neighbor’s unit to call 911. We will do everything we can to make sure justice is done in this case,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 sat down with Chrissy, a survivor of domestic violence, who was willing to share her story if we hid her identity for safety. It just got worse and worse over the years,” Chrissy said. It sounds easier than it is when you’re in the situation and you’re receiving death threats. ‘I’ll kill you if you call the police, I’ll find you if you leave... I’ll kill your family,’” Chrissy said. I’ve been able to focus more on my children and getting them the help they need,” Chrissy said.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Harbor House of Central Florida offers more than just a crisis hotline and emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors. With its own office inside the Orange County Courthouse, the advocates help survivors through the injunction process. Harbor House walks survivors through a safety plan, helps apply for victim relocation funding, referrals to legal aid and assistance in filing injunctions. Nearly 1,000 injunctions were filed in the past fiscal year through Harbor House, that’s up 27%. “We know that when the economy goes down, domestic violence goes up so we’re already seeing an increase in domestic violence, but it will increase more over the next several months so that’s why we need your help now,” Sperzel said.

Two of those cases alone account for five of our domestic violence victims because of family violence. Harbor House of Central Florida is a domestic violence organization providing safe shelter, legal advocacy and other services to help domestic violence survivors and their families. The crisis hotline for Harbor House is 407-886-2856During the pandemic, Harbor House has had to lower the capacity for its emergency shelter to 50% so residents can socially distance. State Attorney Aramis Ayala said it’s also a community effort in helping domestic violence survivors get out of their situation and find help. Click here to make a donation to Harbor House and help domestic violence survivors throughout Central Florida.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A 68-year-old woman was killed overnight Thursday at her home in Sanford and Seminole County deputies have arrested her adult son, charging him with second-degree murder. A spokesperson for the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said when deputies arrived they found the victim, Vicki Savage, dead. “They could see that she had suffered some significant trauma and based on that called 911,” Seminole County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Bob Kealing said. Deputies said Adam Savage was belligerent and not making sense when authorities arrived. Savage is charged with second-degree homicide and was booked into the Seminole County Jail before 1 p.m. Thursday, jail records show.

MELBOURNE, Fla. – A Melbourne man was arrested Friday on manslaughter charges following a four-month investigation into his girlfriend’s death. Slatter told detectives Mansfield “fell” and “passed out” after the pair took MDMA together. The victim’s mother told investigators she was not surprised when she learned her daughter’s death was a homicide. Mansfield’s mother told detectives Slatter was physically abusive prior to her daughter’s death. That move was set to happen a week after her death, according to the report.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Harbor House of Central Florida is asking for the community’s support as the nonprofit continues offering services to domestic violence victims during the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the guidelines laid out by the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding limiting social gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic, Harbor House has had to postpone some of its fundraising events. Harbor House could receive money back for orders placed through Amazon Smile, according to the release. “Whatever you give, know that it makes a big difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors at Harbor House,” Harbor House officials said. If you or someone you know is being abused, you can reach a Harbor House advocate by calling 407-886-2856.

LEESBURG, Fla. – A man was arrested Thursday after the suspect said he and his girlfriend were arguing and he “accidentally” discharged his firearm, fatally shooting her, according to investigators with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the home on Fillmore Avenue in Leesburg at 1:20 a.m., where they found the victim’s boyfriend, 33-year-old Renee Aviles. Deputies said Aviles has prior military experience and had taken multiple medications before the fight. Records show Aviles and Hamby have been in a relationship for five years and they do not have a history of domestic violence. During his first appearance Friday morning a judge set Aviles’ bail at $30,000.

Investigators say a man beat his girlfriend to death in DeLand. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Harbor House of Central Florida is hosting a Walk A Mile in her Shoes event Thursday to raise awareness of domestic violence in the area and resources available to survivors. Harbor House is Orange County's only state-certified domestic violence organization. Almost 11,000 women, men and children were sheltered at the organization's domestic violence housing facilities last year. Every minute, 20 people are physically abused by a partner, according to Harbor House. Victims of domestic violence can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, available 24 hours a day, at 1-800-799-7233, or in Central Florida, the Harbor House 24-hour confidential crisis hotline at 407-886-2856.