W

ith hundreds of testimonials to show that their efforts 

are valued, needed, and successful, Shelter House is 

a vital part of the health and well being of the area.  

Prior to 1985 there was no local haven for survivors 

of domestic violence and abuse. Victims from Okaloosa and Walton 

Counties traveled as far as Pensacola for help and refuge, which was 

a deterrent for many of them to speak up. Shelter House was founded 

by a dedicated and concerned group of individuals.  

As new and different needs have arisen, Shelter House’s services 

and capacity has expanded since that time. In October 2013 they 

became pet-friendly, as that was also a reason that some victims 

remained in abusive relationships. Kind Heart Kennel at Shelter 

House became the only domestic violence shelter in Northwest 

Florida to allow pets.

Also in 2013, Shelter House leadership was made aware that the 

rape crisis services that were currently available in Okaloosa and 

Walton Counties were coming to an end. Shelter House began 

providing services in July 2013, which included confi dential 

counseling and support groups for sexual assault survivors, families, 

and partners.  

Today, Shelter House is the only state-certifi ed domestic and sexual 

violence service-center serving victims of Okaloosa and Walton 

Counties. Their services encompass confi dential shelter, court 

advocacy, peer counseling, support groups, primary prevention, 

transitional housing, economic empowerment, 24-hour domestic 

violence hotline, 24-hour sexual assault helpline, child therapy 

services, and supportive services for family members of sexual 

violence victims. All of these services are free and confi dential.  

The sexual assault helpline is available for survivors of rape or 

any form of sexual assault who are experiencing fresh trauma as 

well those still living with the pain of an attack that occurred in the 

past. The domestic violence hotline is there for survivors who are 

seeking shelter or looking to access any other service that Shelter 

House provides, and referrals to other community services. The 

emergency shelter provides safe and confi dential shelter to victims of 

domestic and 

sexual violence, 

their children, 

and pets with 

24 hours per 

day staff, 365 

days a year, 

and can accommodate up to 36 residents. Residents are provided 

with immediate needs such as food and hygiene products and are 

also assigned an advocate who can assess all other needs and provide 

services such as peer counseling, referrals, legal advocacy, and safety 

planning.

Sexual assault survivors might seek shelter if their attacker 

is someone who lives in or near their home, their assailant has 

threatened them or they do not feel safe in their home for any reason. 

The maximum length of stay is eight weeks. Upon leaving the shelter, 

residents are encouraged to continue using services through one of 

the Outreach offi ces.

In the past year Shelter House has answered 1,264 hotline calls, 

responded to 91 rape response calls at the six local area hospitals, 

provided a total of 7,478 bed nights at their emergency shelter to 239 

people, 87 of which were children, took in 17 pets through their Kind 

Heart Kennel and educated thousands of children and youth through 

their prevention programming. For more information on how Shelter 

House can help, visit shelterhousnwfl .org.

story by

 

Greg Alexander

 

  |  

photos provided by

 

Jim Clark & Shelter Home

56    |    VIPDestinMagazine.com

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