Domestic violence rises as recession frays families

Shelters across Central Florida struggle to provide for rising numbers of victims


Domestic violence rises as recession frays families
Kate Santich Sentinel Staff Writer
March 4, 2009


When Monica Stamm sought refuge at an Orange County domestic-violence shelter last fall, she vowed to find a job and move out within a month, taking her two children with her.

"I wanted to give them that home, sweet home," she said.

Nearly six months later, she is still at the shelter. Despite searching almost daily for jobs, she has yet to find work to support herself and her family — a scenario all too familiar to shelters throughout the state.

In fact, a recent single-day snapshot of domestic-violence programs from Miami to Pensacola shows many are virtually bursting at the seams. The survey, conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence, found 209 victims who were not able to get help, including 40 who had to be turned away from shelters for lack of space.
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