Bradenton, Fla. (September 14, 2023) – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Office of Angelina “Angel” Colonneso, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for Manatee County, along with HOPE Family Services, is hosting a free seminar on how to recognize domestic violence on Tuesday, October 3, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave, Bradenton, FL, in the Jury Assembly Room on the 2nd floor.
How to Recognize Domestic Violence is an event aimed at empowering the community to become strong advocates against domestic violence.
Each year, thousands of women, men, and children in Florida are impacted by domestic violence. Since 1989, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month has been dedicated to acknowledging survivors and heightening awareness of the services available to help protect individuals affected by domestic violence issues.
The event’s speakers include domestic violence experts, law enforcement, and public officials who will shine a light on what domestic violence is, the court process, and where to access resources safely. The event not only empowers the mind, but the body as well with a one-hour self-defense demonstration by Olivera Jiu Jitsu and Fitness Academy.
“Every day my office sees domestic violence’s impact on women, men, and children when someone needs to file a petition for injunction, better known as a restraining order,” said Angel Colonneso, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for Manatee County. “We know reaching out for help is not always easy and can be scary. We want to make reaching out easier.”
In the last fiscal year, ending on September 30, 2022, the Clerk & Comptroller’s office processed nearly 1,000 injunction applications.
“At HOPE, we know that awareness is key to eliminating domestic violence. The importance of erasing the stigma of experiencing domestic violence and making it okay to ask for help cannot be overstated,” said Char Young, CEO of HOPE Family Services. “Most often, those who need help the most are unaware of the resources available in our community.”
HOPE Family Services provides services to survivors of domestic violence and helps them stay safe, gain strength, and evaluate their options. All services provided by HOPE are confidential and free.
By the end of this event, attendees will leave with the valuable information needed for themselves and their neighbors, friends, and family to live a violent-free life.
For more information and to register, visit the How to Recognize Domestic Violence event page or contact the Clerk’s Public Information Office by phone at (941) 741-4007.
About the Clerk’s Office
The Clerk of Circuit Court was established as a public trustee by the Florida Constitution in 1838. The Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the Clerk of Courts, the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, Auditor, Recorder, and Custodian of all County Funds. In Manatee County, the Clerk’s office also administers a local child support enforcement program, violence protection advocacy program, Manatee Teen Court, and the preservation of historical resources through its historical resources department. Located at 1115 Manatee Avenue West in downtown Bradenton, the Courthouse is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Please be sure to visit our website at www.manateeclerk.com and sign up for our electronic newsletter at https://bit.ly/MB-Sign-Up-Form.