What to do & where to go if you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a triple shooting Tuesday left a Jacksonville mother and her daughter fighting for their lives and one child dead, advocates urged the community to learn the warning signs of domestic violence and how to step in before it’s too late.

Police say officers had responded to past domestic disputes involving the mother and the alleged shooter, identified as the children’s father, Trudale Reed, before Tuesday’s shooting. It’s a pattern, advocates said, they see too often.

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“There are so many reasons they may not be ready to ask for help in this moment,” said Stephanie Brown, Director of Community Education at Hubbard House. “But if we let them know that we’re still here when they are ready, then you can be that life-saving bridge.”

What the warning signs look like

Hubbard House outlines several warning signs of abuse to watch for:

• Physical signs: Unexplained scars, wounds, or injuries. Abusers may hurt their partners where they leave no visible marks, or use occasional physical violence alongside constant emotional abuse.
• Mental manipulation: An abuser may convince a victim that the abuse is their own fault — that they deserve it. That shame can make it hard for victims to admit what’s happening or ask for help.
• Fear for safety: A victim is often forced to constantly think about keeping themselves and their children safe — on top of everyday pressures like affording food, getting to work, and helping kids with school.

What to say — and how to say it

Knowing the signs is one thing. Knowing what to say is another.

Brown said the most important thing is simply showing up — with care and without judgment.

“We always encourage a person to try to talk one-on-one. Try to talk in person,” Brown said. “That’s the safest way to let that person know you care about them. They deserve to be safe. And don’t spend time with questions. That moment is about, ‘I think you might need help.’”

Brown added that survivors need to know they won’t be judged or doubted — and that support will still be there whenever they are ready.

Help is available now

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to ask for help.

Hubbard House operates a 24-hour crisis line at 904-354-3114.

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