Victim Services

Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are afraid your internet and/or computer usage might be monitored, please use a safer computer or contact Peace River Center’s Domestic Violence Team.

Victim Services Crisis Lines

24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline Hardee/Highlands Counties: 863.386.1167

24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline Polk County: 863.413.2700

24-Hour Sexual Assault Helpline: 863.413.2707

Victim Services Domestic Violence Center and Rape Recovery Program is a dual center providing free and confidential services to victims/survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and is the only center in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties certified by DCF and FCASV.

Proud supporter of Peace River Center Domestic Violence Program

Community Wellness UWCF Polk County logo

All or a portion of this program is funded by Polk County’s voter-approved 1/2 cent sales tax for indigent health care as provided through a contract between Polk County IHC and United Way of Central Florida – Community Wellness Grant.

victim services raising hope sign

About Our Victim Services

Established in 1978 Peace River Center Victim Services, Domestic Violence Center, and Rape Recovery Program is the only certified center in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands Counties. We are a dual center providing services to victims/survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. We are certified by the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence.

The mission of Peace River Center Victim Services is to reduce the incidence of sexual violence and domestic/family violence, as well as promote safety and a higher quality of life through shelter services, supportive programming, counseling, advocacy, education and outreach Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.

Peace River Center Victim Services’ vision is to educate and promote safety within the community through creating a positive force for social change with a zero tolerance towards domestic and sexual violence in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.

Domestic Violence Services

Peace River Center’s Domestic Violence Program provides free, confidential services for individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking crimes, their family members and friends in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.

Crisis Lines

24-Hour Domestic Violence Crisis Lines

Hardee/Highlands 863.386.1167

Polk 863.413.2700

Victim Services Office Line

863.413.2708

Victim Services Office – Polk County

1831 North Crystal Lake Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801

Victim Services Office – Hardee/Highlands Counties

1570 Lakeview Drive, Sebring, FL 33870

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behaviors— violence or threats of violence—that one person uses to establish power over an intimate partner in order to control that partner’s actions and activities.

Our Services

Emergency shelter
Counseling
24-hour hotline
Assessment of children

Direct Services information and referral
Services management
Community education
Professional training

Safety planning
Survivor support groups
Courthouse advocacy
Assistance with Victim’s Compensation Claims

Rape Recovery Services

Peace River Center’s Rape Recovery Program is dedicated to reaching out to communities in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties to identify risk factors that might make a person more vulnerable to sexual assault. We build relationships with community partners and clients with the goal of developing prevention activities that will increase awareness and help to create a safer community and society.

Crisis Lines

24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Lines

24-Hour 863.413.2707

Toll-Free 877.688.5077

Victim Services Office Line

863.413.2708

Our Services

Advocacy at area hospitals

Crisis intervention and counseling

Court accompaniment

On-site rape exams as an option to a hospital emergency room

Resources

You may be experiencing domestic violence if your partner is doing any of these or other unwanted behaviors:

Hurting you physically—slapping, hair pulling, strangling, hitting, kicking, grabbing, excessively squeezing or shaking, twisting your arms, burning you, or intentionally injuring you in any way
Using your children against you
Calling you names and hurting you emotionally
Harming your pets

Acting with extreme jealousy and possessiveness
Isolating you from family and friends
Threatening to commit suicide or to kill you
Controlling your money
Withholding medical attention
Stalking you

Demanding sex or unwanted sex practices
Hiding assistive devices
Minimizing the destructive behavior
Threatening to “out” you if you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual or transgender
Controlling you with “that certain look in his eyes” or certain gestures

It’s About Victim Safety!

Safety is important and making informed decisions about staying or leaving an abusive relationship is critical to a victim’s safety. Victims are the experts in their own life and the only one who knows what is right and safe for them.

Peace River Center Victim Services has trained advocates who are dedicated to assisting with finding options and developing a safety plan.

Do I Need a Safety Plan?
A safety plan is for:

Individuals living with an abuser – because danger can occur at any
time.
Individuals planning to leave – because few abusers allow their partners to leave peacefully. Leaving is the time of highest lethality.
Individuals living away from the abuser — because danger often increases after a survivor leaves or ends the relationship.

Contact Peace River Center Victim Services, your local certified domestic violence
center, for assistance with Safety Planning: 863.413.2708

women having serious conversation

Domestic Violence Services - English Brochure Cover

Domestic Violence Services Brochures English

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DV Spanish Brochure Cover

Domestic Violence Services Brochures Spanish

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Rape Recovery Program Brochure English

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Rape Recovery Program Brochure Spanish

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sexual assault prevention brochure front

Sexual Assault Prevention Brochure English

Download PDF

sexual assault prevention brochure spanish front cover

Sexual Assault Prevention Brochure Spanish

Download PDF

Teen dating violence awareness brochure image front

Teen Dating Violence Awareness

Download PDF

Civil Injunctions for Protection Brochure Image

Civil Injunctions for Protection Brochure English

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Additional Resources

Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse Brochure Cover

Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse

Download PDF

You can make a difference.

By supporting Peace River Center, you’ll be helping us make a positive impact in the lives of the people we serve. Whether it’s a small gift or some of your spare time, you’re contributing to our goal: to help build emotional wellness in our communities.

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You Are Not Alone. Get Help Today!

Emotional Support & Crisis Line: 863.519.3744

Domestic Violence Crisis Hardee/Highlands County: 863.386.1167

Domestic Violence Polk County: 863.413.2700

Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 863.413.2707

You Are Not Alone.
Get Help Today!

Emotional Support & Crisis Line: 863.519.3744

Domestic Violence Crisis Hardee/Highlands County: 863.386.1167

Domestic Violence Polk County: 863.413.2700

Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 863.413.2707

Victim Services

Victim Services Crisis Lines

Proud supporter of Peace River Center Domestic Violence Program

About Our Victim Services

Domestic Violence Services

Crisis Lines

24-Hour Domestic Violence Crisis Lines

Victim Services Office Line

What is Domestic Violence?

Our Services

Rape Recovery Services

Crisis Lines

24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Lines

Victim Services Office Line

Our Services

Resources

You may be experiencing domestic violence if your partner is doing any of these or other unwanted behaviors:

It’s About Victim Safety!

Sexual Assault Response Team

Survivor Support Groups

DV Shelter Updates

Community Partner

Empowerment Boutique

Heartland for Children Award

Leaving An Abusive Relationship

Domestic and Sexual Violence

Teen Dating Violence Awareness

SV Survivor Support Group

Trauma in DV Survivors

After Sexual Assault

You can make a difference.

You can make a difference.

Sign up for updates!

You Are Not Alone. Get Help Today!

You Are Not Alone. Get Help Today!

You Are Not Alone.
Get Help Today!