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NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — A new resource is helping survivors of domestic violence in Pasco County.
It’s called the Empowerment Room. Just as its name implies — the Empowerment Room serves as a safe space for survivors to receive aid, like shelter or legal help. The room is changing the perception of asking for help when it’s needed the most.
“I hope that it provides a sense of calmness, peace and healing,” says Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Pasco County Clerk of Circuit Court.
Inside the West Pasco Judicial Center, the room stands for strength.
“To be able to come through our front doors, go through security and then walk that lonely path to help themselves — it took a lot of courage for them to do that,” says Alvarez-Sowles. “I just wanted them to feel safe when they were here.”
The Empowerment Room was recently opened and founded by Alvarez-Sowles.
“Knowing they’re in a room that is secured and that they have individuals here that can help them,” said Alvarez-Sowles. “It means everything for them to be able to get the services they need and be able to get to a better day, to get to a safe place.”
Alvarez-Sowles says more than 3,000 domestic violent injunctions are expected to be filed in Pasco County this year. This Empowerment Room is now the second in the county, with the other in Dade City. Inside are the Salvation Army and Sunrise of Pasco, offering counseling, shelter or even legal help.
“They’ll help them with the processing of paperwork,” Alvarez-Sowles said. “Then if it’s something where they need something more, they need legal advocacy, they need shelter, they need some counseling — then we would utilize the services of Salvation Army or Sunrise of Pasco.”
“It was the first time, even though I was breaking down inside at that point, that I was starting to kind of see the light of getting out,” said Dana Rutherford, who is a domestic abuse survivor. Though the Empowerment Room did not exist when she sought help, she knows the power it has for those now.
“The emotional toll it takes to have to do a restraining order and then you have to go and stand in front of your abuser in court, which is very difficult,” says Rutherford. “So to have that advocate or somebody to support you means the world.”
Rutherford says it was difficult to reach out for help. But a path, she says, that can start with the room in a time of need.
“You are worth and deserve to have boundaries that are healthy and safe for you,” said Rutherford. “Make sure that you do what you say you’re going to do and — I promise you — it seems like it’s devastating in the moment and there are things that you may face, but it is totally worth it in the end. You can survive but also thrive after abuse and have a beautiful life without it.”
So they too can feel safe and strong.
Other emergency filings can be made in private inside the Empowerment Room, such as those related to drug abuse or elder abuse. The Empowerment Room is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Calvin Lewis
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