SafeSpace's Oct. 13 summit trained first responders, prosecutors and health workers, and a four-county domestic violence task force relaunches in January.
Jim Schmidt, Gabby Petito’s stepfather and a former first responder, taught first responders and prosecutors how to spot serious risk in domestic violence cases at a training summit in Port St. Lucie on Monday, Oct. 13.
SafeSpace, which describes itself as the Treasure Coast’s only state-certified domestic violence center, held its Domestic Violence Summit at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center. The day was titled “From Awareness to Action: Safety. Solidarity. Solutions.” and was hosted with the Circuit 19 Domestic Violence Task Force and the Gabby Petito Foundation, where Schmidt is a board member. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
SafeSpace said the summit grew out of feedback from survivors and professionals about gaps in four areas: recognizing abuse, understanding trauma, documenting concerns and connecting people with the right help.
Two tracks, by job
Schmidt led the summit’s featured sessions, on lessons from the Gabby Petito case, recognizing serious risk and how trauma can shape the way a survivor behaves.
The day then split into two tracks running at the same time:
- First responders and prosecutors, led by Schmidt, on risk recognition, evidence and documentation.
- Healthcare, education and social services workers, led by SafeSpace Chief Program Officer Melanie Afanador, on identifying abuse and strengthening referral pathways, the routes by which a nurse, teacher or caseworker gets someone to help.
A survivor’s view
Survivor and advocate Jennie Carter joined Schmidt for the closing session, “Every Link Matters: Building a Coordinated Response That Saves Lives.” SafeSpace said Carter spoke about how decisions made by professionals, and whether support is coordinated, affect people living with abuse.
One participant told organizers: “This Summit validated my experience as a domestic violence survivor.”
Task force relaunch in January
The Circuit 19 Domestic Violence Task Force is preparing to relaunch in January 2027. It covers Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties, and SafeSpace said the aim is a stronger coordinated community response across all four.
What it means for you
If you work with the public in St. Lucie County, as a first responder, nurse, teacher, counselor or caseworker, the task force wants to hear from you. Professionals, organizations and residents who want to take part, share resources or ask for training can email info@safespacefl.org.
SafeSpace says it serves survivors and their children 24 hours a day, and that since its founding it has provided more than 500,000 nights of shelter to more than 40,000 victims and children. Its programs include shelter, legal advocacy, financial literacy, counseling, prevention education and services for children. Details are at SafeSpaceFL.org.
Who paid for it
The Wong Family Foundation was the presenting sponsor. The Gabby Petito Foundation and Coral Shores Behavioral Health were impact sponsors; Inspired Closets, Jan and Jessica Malasek, and Tykes & Teens were community partner sponsors; and House of Hope, iTHINK Financial, John Schmahl, and Thompson’s Remodeling & Home Repair were supporting sponsors.
In the group photo at the top of this page are, back row from left, Christine Wyant, Joe Petito, Jim Schmidt, Andrea Elrod, Hannah Mac, Delaney Adkins, Jennifer Fox, Abigail Andujar, Rasmiyah Massey, Melanie Afanador, Rachel Pulley, Jasmine Taylor, Brianna Robertson, Kehan Rahming, Tynesha Gerald, Nancy Stern and Lolly Webster, and in front, from left, Marla Weis, Christina Current and Karina Vargas.
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