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Hotline

"TDD users may call Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955-8771 or 711.  This publication was supported by funding from the Rape Prevention education grant provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Florida Department of Heath (DOH).  The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC or DOH."

Outreach Program and Services
The Dawn Center has an outreach Program to help victims of abuse who live in Hernando County.

An individual that is being abused may contact the Outreach Office or the Shelter to speak with a trained professional regarding their situation.

When someone who is abused calls the Dawn Center, the first question asked is, "Are you safe right now?" If the answer to their safety is "no", then the caller will be asked for their address and if she/he wants to have law enforcement sent to help. If the caller wants to speak in depth about their situation, an appointment is schedule as soon as possible and at the caller's convenience. The caller will then meet with someone specialized in the area of trauma and abuse.

By listening in a sensitive, supportive and non-judgmental manner, the trained professional will assist the victim of abuse in identifying what the options are for changing the situation she/he is in.

With the objective of assisting a victim of abuse in creating a safe and secure environment for themselves and any dependent children, the staff member can:
Assist in developing an individualized safety plan
Explain rights and explore options
Provide information and referrals
Advocate with and for an individual as the person navigates the various systems (i.e. legal, criminal justice, mental health and social services) the person may be involved with.
Apply for victim's compensation and/or relocation funds if certain criteria are met.
Other services offered through the Outreach office include individual counseling sessions and support groups. There are no charges for any of the services provided.