by Amy Trask
Almost eleven years ago, I was barefoot, covered in spit-up, and trying to make breakfast when the man I once trusted turned violent. Deadly. That morning, I became a statistic — one of the more than 100,000 domestic violence cases reported in Florida that year. But I also became something else: a survivor.
Now, I’m fighting, alongside neighbors and friends, and many in the Legislature, to make sure others have a way out.
That fight is called the HAVEN Act — Helping Abuse Victims Escape Now. It’s a bipartisan bill filed in both chambers of the Florida Legislature (HB 269, SB 296), and it’s rooted in lived experience — not just mine, but the hundreds of thousands of Floridians who have experienced this violence, and the many who’ve shared their stories with me.
It’s for Jennifer, who cried at one of our town halls because “no one tells our stories.” It’s for the children who witness violence and carry its scars into adulthood. It’s for every person who’s ever whispered, “I just need help,” and found no one listening, and no safety net to catch them.
What the HAVEN Act Does
The HAVEN Act does two critical things:
It redefines “dating violence” and “domestic violence” to be statutorily congruent, ensuring that survivors in non-marital relationships can access the same resources and protections as those in familial ones, including the AG’s Address Confidentiality Program. Abuse doesn’t care about labels — neither should our laws.
It commissions a web-based 911 alert system, allowing victims to silently signal for help using a randomly-generated unique phone number. This system, upon usage of their set PIN number or code word, would geolocate the caller and dispatch law enforcement without requiring lengthy verbal communication —an innovation that could save lives when speaking out isn’t safe.
Why It Matters
Florida’s current system leaves too many behind. Victims of dating violence often fall through the cracks, denied access to state resources and emergency services simply because their relationship doesn’t fit a narrow definition. The HAVEN Act fixes that.
It also addresses a terrifying reality: many victims can’t safely call 911. In my case, my phone was ripped from my hands and smashed. I was lucky to survive. Others aren’t. A silent alert system could be the difference between life and death.
Unfortunately, this violence is not rare. One in three women and one in four men experience intimate partner violence. Twenty percent of homicides are linked to it. It’s one of the leading causes of death in pregnant women. Five million children witness it every year — and one in three will become victims themselves.
The Road So Far
Since filing the HAVEN Act last year, I’ve met with almost every single legislator. Armed with my very full padfolio of bill copies, I’ve shared coffee, tears, hugs, and stories. What I’ve seen there in the Capitol halls is something extraordinary: bipartisan momentum.
The Senate bill made it to two of the three subcommittees it was assigned to and passed each unanimously. In the House, it made it to one and it also passed the same. Legislators from both parties have expressed support, recognizing that protecting survivors isn’t a partisan issue — it’s a moral one.
We gained the support of major dating, domestic, and sexual violence boards in the state, as well as chapters of the Bar, and FDLE. We were told by the Department that, it was confirmed, the tech we’ve proposed is here and feasible.
What Comes Next
The HAVEN Act is moving. Within days, we were filed and have committee assignments. We should be placed on the agenda soon, but we need your help to keep it going. Call your representatives or come to a committee hearing. Share your story. It could make all the difference.
If passed, the HAVEN Act will be a lifeline. It will open doors that have long been closed. It will say to every survivor: “We see you. We believe you. We’re building something better. It will be a promise that Florida can — and will — do better.
Personal Note:
If you’re interested in following bills like this one, I have also written two other pieces of DV legislation in the same vein that are being introduced in the same vein: “Safe Shelter” and “Survivor Self Defense,” to help children caught in this violence escape and remain safely in certified shelters, and to give a rebuttable presumption of self-defense for partners who defend themselves against documented abusers.
Last year, we started a conversation – loudly. This year, there are many more pieces of DV legislation coming from both sides of the aisle: bills to strengthen and expand protections and ensure resources. For my part, thank you to everyone who fought for this bill. It made a huge difference. For everyone already in, or are joining, the fight for justice against violence: thank you. Thank you.
Amy Trask is a candidate for Florida House District 22 in the fall of 2026. Join her for a Meet and Greet event scheduled at First Magnitude on Dec. 7 at 6pm.