Supportive Services
You are not alone. Dawn Center's trained advocacy team is here to provide empowering support at every stage of your healing journey.
H -Housing
Emergency shelter and transitional housing.
Safe, confidential housing with access to food, clothing, personal hygiene items, and household necessities.
L - Legal
Assistance through the criminal and civil legal processes, including filing for injunctions / restraining orders and court accompaniment. Technical assistance for child welfare workers and advocacy for families.
24 / 7 Helpline
Confidential emotional support, safety planning, and connection to all Dawn Center services. Available by call, text or web chat.
E - Economic Empowerment
Outreach support (non-residential services) including individual and group counseling, safety planning, goal setting, and linkage to community resources to accomplish economic goals.
P - Prevention
Educational presentations and training to increase public awareness about the impact of domestic and sexual violence.
Sexual Assault Program
Crisis intervention, accompaniment, support groups, therapy, and forensic exam services by appointment or on a walk-in basis at
17222 Hospital Blvd., Suite 214, Brooksville, FL 34601
What Our Program Participants Say
“The real healing was achieved when I started to believe I’m not responsible for what happened to me.”
Understanding Domestic and Sexual Violence
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Definitions
Domestic Violence is a pattern of coercive behavior used by one person to gain power and control over another in an intimate or familial relationship. It encompasses various forms of abuse including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial.
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Sexual Violence refers to any sexual act committed against someone without their freely given consent. This includes rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other non-consensual sexual activities.
2
Recognizing the signs
Physical Abuse: Unexplained injuries, frequent "accidents", or wearing concealing clothing to hide injuries.
Sexual Abuse: Unwanted touching, forced sexual acts, or being made to feel guilty for refusing sex.
Emotional Abuse: Low self-esteem, withdrawal from friends and activities, or constant fearfulness.
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Financial Abuse: Lack of access to money, being denied employment, or having to account for every penny spent.
Understanding these signs can help in identifying and supporting those impacted.​
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3
Impacts of abuse
Survivors of domestic and sexual violence may experience:
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Emotional Effects: Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and feelings of helplessness.
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Physical Health Issues: Chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, and reproductive health problems.
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Social Consequences: Isolation from friends and family, difficulty maintaining employment, and housing instability.
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Recognizing these impacts is essential for providing or obtaining comprehensive support.