Domestic violence impacts 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S., making awareness and support critical. Ocala hosts several events and initiatives to educate the community, support survivors, and provide resources for families in crisis. Here’s a quick overview of the key events and resources available:
Key Events
- Wear Your Wings 5K Fun Run/Walk
- Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
- Location: College of Central Florida, Ocala, FL
- Registration: $30–$40 based on sign-up date
- Proceeds support the Marion County Children’s Alliance Family Violence Prevention Workgroup.
- Domestic Violence/Trafficking Awareness Event
- Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
- Focus: Education for healthcare professionals, social workers, and advocates.
- Includes 4.0 CEU credits for nursing professionals.
Ongoing Support
- Workshops & Seminars: Cover topics like safety planning, technology safety, and legal rights.
- Legal Assistance: CASA Marion and Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida offer free consultations and help with protective orders.
Why It Matters
Every event and resource in Ocala contributes to creating a safer community. Funds raised go toward shelters, emergency services, and prevention efforts, ensuring survivors have the tools and support they need to rebuild their lives.
For immediate help, call CASA Marion’s 24-hour hotline at 352-722-2272 or the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 500-1119 (option 3).
Wear Your Wings 5K Fun Run/Walk
The Wear Your Wings 5K Fun Run/Walk is more than just a race – it’s a celebration of community spirit and a powerful step toward preventing domestic violence. This annual event has become a beloved tradition in Ocala, bringing people together to combine fitness with a meaningful cause. It’s a chance to raise awareness, support vital programs, and make a real difference in the lives of those affected by domestic violence.
Event Details
Save the date: Saturday, October 11, 2025. The College of Central Florida will transform into the starting point for this inspiring event. The race begins at 8:00 AM EDT at the Dassance Fine Arts Center, located at 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, FL 34474.
Here’s the registration breakdown:
- $30 if you register by September 5
- $35 from September 6 to October 10
- $40 on race day
Packet pickup will open at 6:30 AM and run until 30 minutes before the race starts, making it easy for participants to gear up and get ready.
What to Expect
This event is designed for everyone. Whether you’re a competitive runner, a casual jogger, or someone who enjoys a peaceful walk, you’ll feel right at home. It’s open to all ages and fitness levels, making it a perfect activity for families, friends, or solo participants.
Some exciting perks include:
- Race shirts for the first 150 registrants
- Commemorative medals for the first 150 finishers
- Awards for the top 3 finishers in each age group, as well as overall winners
After crossing the finish line, stick around for a post-race celebration. Enjoy refreshments, connect with fellow participants, and learn more about resources available for domestic violence prevention. It’s a great opportunity to bond with others who share a commitment to this important cause.
Why It Matters
Every dollar raised from this event goes directly to the Marion County Children’s Alliance Family Violence Prevention Workgroup. These funds provide essential support, including resources, services, and temporary shelter for domestic violence victims and survivors in Marion County. By lacing up your sneakers and joining the race, you become part of a larger mission to offer hope and safety to those in need.
The impact of this event reaches far beyond race day. It shines a light on domestic violence issues, fosters stronger community connections, and unites local organizations, businesses, and residents in the shared goal of making Ocala a safer place for everyone.
Domestic Violence/Trafficking Awareness Event
In addition to community runs, Ocala hosts educational initiatives aimed at equipping professionals with tools to prevent domestic violence. The Domestic Violence/Trafficking Awareness Event stands out as a key conference, tackling issues of domestic violence and human trafficking. It’s designed for healthcare professionals, social workers, and community advocates who are dedicated to making a difference in these critical areas.
Event Details
- Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM EDT
- Location: Ocala, FL
- Venue: To be determined
This significant event, expected to attract between 1,000 and 2,000 attendees, is one of the largest of its kind in Marion County. Scheduled during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it aligns with national efforts to raise awareness and drive prevention strategies.
Details about registration and the event venue will be announced closer to the date. This conference exemplifies Ocala’s approach to blending community engagement with professional education.
Key Features
Organized by Marion County Nurses, the event will include sessions addressing domestic violence and human trafficking. Attendees can earn 4.0 continuing education unit (CEU) credits, making it especially valuable for nursing professionals.
The statistics in Marion County paint a concerning picture: over 2,200 cases of domestic violence are reported annually, with research suggesting that four out of 10 incidents go unreported. In 2016, the county ranked 18th out of 67 counties in domestic violence offenses. These numbers highlight the urgent need for professional training to bolster prevention efforts and community support.
"To increase awareness about domestic violence in our community and to use the proceeds from the fundraiser to provide resources and emergency services for victims and survivors of domestic violence", says Monica Bryant, emphasizing the event’s mission.
Zero Hour Life Center Domestic Violence Walk
This community-focused event complements larger conferences by directly engaging with and supporting local survivors. The Zero Hour Life Center Domestic Violence Walk is an initiative aimed at raising both funds and awareness for domestic violence survivors in Ocala. Organized by the Zero Hour Life Center – a nonprofit recovery organization dedicated to bridging the gap between professional treatment and long-term recovery from substance use and homelessness – the walk highlights the community’s commitment to addressing this critical issue.
Event Details
The most recent Domestic Violence Walk took place on October 1, 2022, at 3001 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474. To ensure inclusivity, transportation was provided, making it accessible for participants of all ages and abilities.
Key Features
Every dollar raised during the event directly benefits local domestic violence services, creating a tangible impact within the community. For instance, the establishment of CASA Marion in January 2024 has significantly strengthened resources available to survivors in the area. Events like this walk are vital in reinforcing Ocala’s support network for individuals affected by domestic violence.
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Regular Workshops and Seminars
Ocala hosts a variety of workshops and seminars throughout the year aimed at supporting survivors and educating the community. These events provide essential resources and training to improve awareness and preparedness.
Topics Covered
While large-scale events bring the community together, these regular workshops ensure consistent education and readiness. Local organizations offer detailed programs that dive into the complexities of domestic violence. For instance, CASA Marion provides training on domestic violence dynamics and safety planning, equipping survivors with practical tools and strategies.
The Florida Domestic Violence Collaborative strengthens these efforts with free virtual and in-person training sessions. These events bring state-level expertise to Ocala, ensuring residents have access to updated information and effective practices.
Safety planning workshops are a key focus, teaching survivors how to handle immediate and long-term challenges. Topics include identifying safe spaces, setting up emergency contacts, and using secure communication methods. Advanced sessions go further, covering post-separation steps like changing phone numbers, documenting interactions with abusers, and altering daily routines to enhance safety.
Technology safety is another critical area. These sessions address digital stalking and other online threats, offering practical advice to improve digital security and protect personal information.
Community Collaboration
Workshops in Ocala benefit from the collaboration of various community stakeholders. The Marion County Children’s Alliance plays a central role, coordinating educational programs and hosting monthly meetings (except in July) at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center. These gatherings bring together representatives from social services, nonprofits, and corporate agencies to ensure workshops address current community needs.
The Alliance’s Family Violence Prevention workgroup highlights the tangible impact of these efforts. By providing emergency shelter and essential items, they create safer environments for families, demonstrating how education translates into direct support.
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida adds a legal perspective, offering workshops that explain legal rights and remedies. These sessions help survivors understand options like protection orders, custody issues, and other legal protections.
The Ocala Police Department’s Victim Advocates Unit contributes valuable insights from law enforcement. Their advocates participate in workshops to explain available services, such as safe shelter assistance, safety planning, and injunctions for protection. This helps bridge the gap between survivors and law enforcement, fostering effective collaboration.
The PACE Center for Girls focuses on the needs of young women aged 12 to 17, recognizing how domestic violence uniquely impacts adolescents. Their workshops emphasize identifying unhealthy relationship patterns early and building skills for healthy, positive relationships.
These partnerships – spanning legal professionals, law enforcement, social services, and community organizations – create a robust network of support. Together, they provide survivors with the knowledge and resources needed for safety and recovery.
Legal Resources and Support
Legal assistance plays a critical role in helping survivors escape abusive situations and secure the protection they need. Ocala’s domestic violence awareness events consistently stress the importance of connecting survivors with legal professionals who are well-versed in handling these complex cases. While community events empower survivors, accessible legal services provide the foundation for lasting safety and recovery.
Support Services Offered
Specialized legal support is a key component of community-driven efforts to assist survivors. Several prominent legal organizations in the area, such as Law Firm Ocala, Anne E. Raduns, P.A., CASA Marion, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, and Florida Legal Services, offer critical services. These include free consultations, assistance with protective orders, and a range of other legal support options tailored to the needs of survivors.
In July 2024, Florida took a significant step forward by enacting the Gabby Petito Act. This legislation requires law enforcement officers responding to domestic disturbance calls to complete a lethality assessment form and undergo specialized training to evaluate the risk of escalating violence. It also mandates collaboration with domestic violence shelters and resource centers, creating a more cohesive and effective support system for survivors.
"We will fight to ensure that you walk away with the best possible outcome and can move forward to the new phase of your life." – Anne E. Raduns, Attorney at Law
Connecting Victims to Legal Help
Survivors in need of legal assistance can reach out to several resources for immediate support. CASA Marion operates a 24-hour hotline at 352-722-2272, while the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 500-1119 (option 3). For direct legal assistance, a dedicated hotline is available at 385-0611, and survivors can contact Anne E. Raduns, P.A. at 352-310-8235 for representation.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Unit works closely with legal professionals to ensure accountability for abusers and safety for survivors. Their definition of domestic violence underscores the wide range of offenses involved:
"Domestic violence means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member." – Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Legal professionals provide more than just immediate crisis intervention. Their services extend to court representation, securing protective orders, handling custody disputes, negotiating divorce settlements that safeguard financial rights, and seeking compensation for injuries caused by abuse.
The statistics are a sobering reminder of the ongoing need for these services. In the United States, one in four women and one in seven men have experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner. Domestic violence hotlines handle an average of 20,000 calls every day, reflecting the scale of the issue and the importance of accessible legal support.
Conclusion
Ocala’s domestic violence awareness events bring together a community determined to turn individual struggles into collective action. These events aren’t just about raising funds or spreading awareness; they provide survivors with a platform to share their experiences and connect with essential resources. Consider this: 1 in 15 children witness intimate partner violence each year. These aren’t just numbers – they represent real people in our community who need support.
The ripple effect of these initiatives is profound. By participating in events like the Wear Your Wings 5K or attending workshops organized by CASA Marion, community members help dismantle the silence and stigma surrounding domestic violence. As Professor Krista Chronister from the University of Oregon explains, "If you look at the statistics of what communities understand that domestic violence is, how much they utilize services, and how much they’re aware of their rights under certain federal and state policies, the awareness is actually quite minimal and confused." These efforts aim to change that.
There are many ways to contribute. Attend local events, volunteer with organizations like CASA Marion, or educate yourself about the signs of abuse. Every action counts. For those in immediate danger, CASA Marion’s 24-hour hotline at 352-722-2272 offers a lifeline. Legal professionals such as Law Firm Ocala are also available to guide survivors through protective orders, custody battles, and other legal challenges on their journey to safety.
What makes Ocala’s response so impactful is its collaborative spirit. By uniting community events, legal services, law enforcement, and advocacy groups, Ocala has built a safety net that ensures survivors aren’t left to face their challenges alone. Together, these efforts create a community where domestic violence is confronted head-on, and survivors are given the tools and support they need to rebuild their lives.
FAQs
How can I get involved in domestic violence awareness efforts in Ocala?
There are plenty of ways to get involved in raising awareness about domestic violence in Ocala. One option is to take part in the Wear Your Wings 5K Fun Run/Walk, happening on October 11, 2025, at the College of Central Florida. This event not only brings the community together but also helps raise funds and awareness for victims and survivors.
Another opportunity is the Break the Silence on Violence event, organized by Marion County community groups on the same day. It’s a great way to support victims and educate the public about domestic violence. Beyond attending events, you can volunteer with local organizations, amplify awareness through social media, or back initiatives like Alexandra House during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. Every action, big or small, can help make a real difference.
How does the Wear Your Wings 5K Fun Run/Walk support domestic violence survivors in Ocala?
Proceeds from the Wear Your Wings 5K Fun Run/Walk go directly toward helping domestic violence survivors. The funds provide crucial support, covering services like temporary shelter, counseling, and safety resources. These contributions make a meaningful difference, giving survivors the tools they need to rebuild their lives and move forward.
What support is available in Ocala for individuals facing domestic violence and in need of legal help?
If you’re facing domestic violence in Ocala, there are several resources ready to provide support. The Ocala Police Department runs a Victims of Domestic Violence program, offering assistance tailored to those in need. For immediate help, CASA Marion operates a 24/7 hotline, ensuring round-the-clock support.
For legal assistance, organizations like Florida Legal Aid and Florida Legal Services can guide you through safety planning and legal options. Additionally, Law Firm Ocala focuses on domestic violence cases, providing skilled legal representation to help protect your rights and navigate the legal system with confidence.