Dr. Teresa Albizu reveals the pervasiveness of domestic violence at Port St. Lucie Business Women meeting

Port St. Lucie Business Women program chair Dorothy Kamm, Dr. Teresa Albizu, CEO, SafeSpace, PSL Business Women president Devon Dwyer. Photo Courtesy of Diane Gallagher, DSG Design & Photography

“The definition of domestic violence is when a partner uses abuse to gain and maintain control over an intimate partner,” said Dr. Teresa Albizu, CEO of SafeSpace, Inc., guest speaker at the February 17 meeting of the Port St. Lucie Business Women held at Tutto Fresco in St. Lucie West. “This includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and financial abuse. Domestic violence is the abuser’s choice, a learned behavior and a crime,” she explained. It affects children who are witness to it as well.

Members in attendance learned in the state of Florida, nearly 38 percent of women and 29 percent of men experience intimate partner dating violence, sexual violence and/or stalking in their lifetimes. “The problem is pervasive not only throughout the state but locally as well,” said Dr. Albizu. She revealed that since last year in St. Lucie County alone, there has been a 12 percent increase.

SafeSpace offers services free of charge to participants, providing intervention, prevention and advocacy services. It is the only state-certified domestic violence agency serving St. Lucie, Martin and Indian River counties. For more information, visit www.safespacefl.org.

The Port St. Lucie Business Women is a 42-year-old, 501 (c) (6) non-profit professional organization dedicated to promoting the interests of businesswomen and serving our community effectively. For more information, visit PSLBW.com. Follow their Facebook page for updates about events, programs and community involvement.

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