In a recent and timely conversation, I sat down with Josie Novo, Legislative Chair of the of the Miami-Dade Commission for Women, and Councilman Alex Sanchez of Miami Lakes to explore the urgent topic of domestic violence in Miami-Dade County. With sobering statistics and culturally informed insights, both leaders shed light on the multifaceted challenges women face—and the necessary systemic and cultural shifts needed to foster safety, equality, and healing.
A Staggering Increase in Violence Against Women
Josie Novo has been at the forefront of shaping policy and advocacy efforts that support women’s self-protection, safety, and empowerment. During our conversation, she shared a disturbing revelation: an 84% increase in reported rape cases in Miami-Dade County.
“This is attention grabbing,” she mentioned to me. “At a time when society should be evolving and consciousness rising, we’re seeing a retrogression—especially in how some men are mentally and emotionally engaging with the world around them.”
Novo emphasized the need for stronger policies not only to protect women but also to address men’s mental health. “We must shift the narrative and develop resources that tackle root causes—not just consequences,” she said.
One glaring issue remains in how the data is collected. While statistics are available by race, there is no collection based on ethnicity. I pointed out that ethnic tracking tells a deeper story. Culture-specific behaviors, when identified through such data, could inform more effective education, outreach, and mental health interventions tailored to the diverse communities that make up Miami-Dade.
Councilman Alex Sanchez: Local Solutions with Measurable Results
Councilman Alex Sanchez offered a grounded view from the local level, specifically highlighting Miami Lakes, where the population as of July 1, 2024, is 33,247—with 52% being female. He offered thoughtful reflections on the regional and national rise in domestic violence, identifying key contributing factors:
-Post-pandemic lifestyle shifts: The increase in time spent at home due to remote work has caused interpersonal tensions to build in isolated environments.
-Economic strain: Financial instability and job loss, especially among men, can trigger feelings of inadequacy and lead to harmful behaviors.
-Cultural norms and gender dynamics: South Florida’s immigrant-rich population brings a tapestry of cultural beliefs, some of which still uphold patriarchal values. These beliefs can create subtle but harmful gender power dynamics. Sanchez mentioned the symbolic yet telling practice in some Latin cultures where a woman’s surname changes to reflect her husband’s (e.g., Maria Garcia becomes Maria de Fernandez), illustrating deep-seated gender expectations that may contribute to imbalanced household dynamics.
Programs That Make a Difference
When asked how Miami Lakes is actively promoting women’s safety, Sanchez pointed to several key initiatives:
-Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) courses, offered in partnership with the sheriff’s office, teach women critical self-defense skills.
-Domestic violence victim outreach, provided by the town’s officers.
-The Zonta Club of Miami Lakes, a resident-led organization advocating for gender equality and against violence. Their “Silence is Violence” campaign continues to raise awareness, with coverage in The Miami Laker (read more at zontamiamilakesclub.org).
-Ordinance 19-239, which mandates human trafficking awareness materials be posted by employers, giving people access to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s contact info.
Encouraging Crime Decline Through Community Engagement
Remarkably, Miami Lakes has experienced a consistent decline in domestic violence incidents:
-Domestic Assault/Battery Calls:
-2022: 57 calls
-2023: 37 calls
-2024: 36 calls
-Domestic Disturbance Calls:
-2022: 288 calls
-2023: 266 calls
-2024: 210 calls
Councilman Sanchez credits this to a combination of:
-Strong community engagement
-Access to educational opportunities
-Economic empowerment
-Conflict resolution education
-Visible, trusted local law enforcement
Events like “Coffee with a Cop”, Veteran’s Day parades, and Concerts at the Park reinforce a sense of safety, community connection, and trust between residents and officers.
A Path Forward
This conversation made one thing abundantly clear: real solutions require tailored approaches for both women and men. Policies that empower women to defend themselves, access resources, and lead, must go hand in hand with cultural education, mental health support, and new paradigms of masculinity.
Josie Novo and Councilman Alex Sanchez are examples of what it means to lead with vision and integrity—facing hard truths while building safer communities.
As South Florida continues to grow and diversify, we must all take part in evolving its systems, challenging harmful norms, and amplifying programs that work. Because at the heart of this issue is not just protection—it’s transformation.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). For human trafficking resources, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
