Harbor House of Central Florida

Domestic violence cases spiked at the start of the pandemic in 2020, by more than 20 percent in parts of the US. Harbor House of Central Florida CEO Michelle Sperzel says she believes awareness of domestic violence has also increased over the last two years.

Survivors of domestic abuse can get free rides to an Orange County shelter using a new ridesharing service. There’s been an uptick in domestic abuse in Florida during the pandemic as victims are at home with their abusers.

Pet-friendly domestic violence shelters are becoming an increasingly popular way to allow victims to keep their pets as they flee their abusers. Michelle Sperzel, CEO of Harbor House of Central Florida, joins Intersection to discuss the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty, as well as the importance of keeping victims and their pets together.