TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — For Domestic Violence Awareness month, law enforcement agencies across Leon County are taking their message on the road, wrapping patrol vehicles with a hotline number and the words: “End the silence on domestic violence.”
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department and campus police departments are joining forces on the campaign, aimed at supporting survivors, encouraging people to recognize warning signs and holding abusers accountable.
“More importantly, to support their survivors and to give them hope letting them know that we are truly here for them,” Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said.
For Kisha Wilkinson, a domestic violence survivor, the effort is deeply personal. She said that 17 years ago she was lying in a driveway with a broken ankle, terrified for her children and unsure if they were safe, when a deputy arrived.
“He was much more than an officer responding to an incident. He was the first sign that things would be okay,” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson shared her story as the agencies unveiled the awareness vehicles and she emphasized that support needs to extend beyond the person being abused.
“When we talk about supporting victims, we must also talk about supporting entire families,” Wilkinson said.
Data shows domestic violence arrests are rising in Leon County. Florida Health Charts reports 914 domestic violence arrest events in Leon County in 2025, up from 807 in 2024. The figures reflect arrest events and do not capture every incident of abuse.
Susan Smith, Interim Executive Director of Refuge House, said abuse is not always obvious.
“One of the most important things that I want everyone here to understand is that abuse does not always look the way people expect it to,” Smith said.
Revell said warning signs can include unexplained injuries or someone trying to hide them. He said friends and family who suspect abuse can help connect someone with support.
The awareness vehicles will be out in the community throughout the month of October and Wilkinson said they represent a broader commitment to survivors.
“They are more than just cars. They are moving symbols of a promise—a promise that domestic violence will not be ignored and that our community stands united against abuse,” she said.
Refuge House’s 24-hour hotline is 850-681-2111, and the organization also offers counseling, emergency housing and safety planning for survivors and their families.