Food Insecurity: In Central Florida, food insecurity affects a significant portion of the population.
- Overall Impact: Approximately 12% of Florida's population experiences food insecurity, with rates in Central Florida counties ranging from 11.2% to 13.8%. One in six children in Central Florida faces hunger, highlighting the vulnerability of our youngest residents. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Domestic Violence: Domestic violence remains a critical concern in our community.
- Statewide Incidents: In 2020, Florida law enforcement agencies reported 106,515 domestic violence crimes, resulting in 63,217 arrests. During the 2020-21 fiscal year, Florida's certified domestic violence centers provided 412,360 nights of emergency shelter to 10,287 survivors and their children. My Florida Families
Financial Barriers: Women in Florida experience significant income disparities compared to men:
- Gender Pay Gap: In Florida, women working full-time, year-round earn approximately 83 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts, resulting in a 17% wage gap. Due to this wage gap, each woman in Florida stands to lose an average of $307,120 over the course of her lifetime. Center for American Progress
- High Cost of Childcare: In Florida, center-based infant care costs about $9,238 per year—more than double the average annual tuition and fees at a public college, which is approximately $4,455. This financial strain consumes nearly 28% of a single mother’s median income, often forcing them to choose between career advancement and meeting their family’s basic needs. World Population Review
Mental Health Stress: The pressures of single parenthood contribute to elevated psychological distress:
- Psychological Distress: 32% of single mothers experience moderate or severe psychological distress, compared to 19% of married mothers. Brookings Institution
- Superwoman Schema: Many single mothers, particularly women of color, feel compelled to embody the "superwoman" role, suppressing emotions and avoiding seeking help, which can exacerbate mental health issues. ABC News
Sexual Assault: Sexual trauma remains a deeply underreported yet widespread issue across Florida.
- Statewide Reality: According to the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men in Florida have experienced rape or attempted rape at some point in their lives.
- Underreporting: Nationally, over 75% of sexual assaults are never reported, meaning the true scope of the crisis is significantly larger than what is captured by official data. RAINN