Sunshine Sentinel

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Attorney General Ashley Moody, local county clerks and sheriffs today announced the expansion of Project Protect into Manatee and Hardee counties. Florida law enforcement agencies received nearly 104,000 reports of domestic violence in 2021, resulting in more than 63,000 arrests. Project Protect provides doorbell cameras to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and other crimes free of charge to help survivors feel more secure at home.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “It is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we are expanding an important program to help survivors feel more secure at home. Starting today, our Project Protect is available in Manatee and Hardee counties, and survivors of domestic violence in these counties can now access free doorbell cameras to watch over their residences. Through this program, we can help survivors feel more secure and build a Stronger, Safer Florida.”

Hardee County Sheriff Vent Crawford said, “The Hardee County Sheriff’s Office is happy to partner with Project Protect. Together, we can break the cycle of domestic violence and provide safety within our homes and communities. Our agency is committed to bringing awareness where homes are free from fear.”

Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said, “Our primary goal is to help victims of domestic violence and stop this cycle of abuse. I applaud the Attorney General’s initiative to protect victims and make them feel safer in their own homes.”

Hardee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller Victoria Rogers said, “My office looks forward to working with the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office and victim advocates in our area to educate survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking about the Project Protect program. This additional layer of protection is a welcome and valuable resource put forward by Attorney General Moody.”

Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller Angel Colonneso said, “I want to thank Attorney General Moody and her office for launching this invaluable program and choosing Manatee County to participate. As Clerk, my office is sometimes the first line of defense for people affected by domestic violence, and we are grateful to be able to provide Project Protect as another layer of protection to help people affected by domestic violence feel safer at home.”

Attorney General Moody’s Project Protect provides doorbell cameras to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, stalking and sexual violence free of charge in four Florida counties. The video cameras can provide 24-hour audio and visual surveillance for a residence. Informational materials about Project Protect will be placed in the participating Clerk of Courts offices. Clerk of Courts staff will connect survivors with local victim advocates who will help each survivor through the process of receiving a free doorbell camera.

Attorney General Moody along with law enforcement leaders and local clerks of court officials launched Project Protect in Hillsborough and Martin counties earlier this year. Attorney General Moody is planning to expand the program in Florida. For more information on Project Protect, click here.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, an average of 24 people per minute become victims of physical violence, sexual assault or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. Countless cases go unreported. According to the Bureau of Justice, more than a third of female victims of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter in 2021 were killed by an intimate partner.

Project Protect is also available to survivors of human trafficking. Ending human trafficking is one of Attorney General Moody’s main missions. To learn more, click here.

By knowing the signs of trafficking, anyone can help save a life. To learn what to look out for, and where to report suspicious activity, visit YouCanStopHT.com. 

Floridians suffering in a domestic violence situation should call law enforcement or the domestic violence hotline at 1(800) 500-1119. 

For more information on VOCA or other types of services provided, click here.

Original source can be found here.