Page 9 - 2020 Impact Report

Protect

Attending to civil legal matters is vital to a survivor’s overall well-being. In addition to rights and protections afforded
by protective orders, survivors often gain a sense of empowerment as they take steps toward securing a divorce
and/or legal custody of their children.

The Shelter’s State Attorney’s Office Advocate helps victims of domestic violence navigate the legal system and
ensure their abusers are held accountable in court. Our Shelter Court Advocate works from the County Clerk’s
Office, attending weekly domestic violence court hearings and providing support to survivors requesting injunctions
for protection. A full-time InVEST (Intimate Violence Enhanced Services Team) Advocate works with local and state
law enforcement and the Department of Children & Families to support and protect individuals in potentially lethal
situations.

In 2019-2020

• Shelter Intimate Violence Enhanced Services Team (InVEST)
advocates reviewed more than 2,100 crime reports from the
Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the Naples and Marco Island
Police Departments to identify victims in highly lethal situations
Cristina

• Advocates were able to contact 298 victims in highly lethal
situations and talk to them about The Shelter’s services “Without The Shelter, I would have had
to stay with friends, burdening them,

• Advocates in co-located offices provided services to 226 people and putting them and myself in danger.
seeking information and/or services from The Shelter Most importantly, I wouldn’t have ever
learned that I had options.”

11,310 Survivor safety plans created with advocates in 2019-2020

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