INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Known as a “silent pandemic,” those unaffected by domestic violence likely do not know the severity of the issue here on the Treasure Coast. One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime.
Darcy Flierl, the new Director of Programs at SafeSpace, is quickly learning the sad truth behind this fact since joining the organization in March.
After a 15-year career in social work, Flierl now sees another side of her profession by being fully immersed in the issues facing victims and survivors of domestic violence. Having her office located at the SafeSpace emergency shelter has been an eye-opening experience, especially when she calculated the amount and severity of phone calls received through the SafeSpace hotline.
“We receive between 50 to 60 phone calls per week,” said Flierl. “The fact that one in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime becomes very real when you are seeing it firsthand working daily in the shelter.”
In her role as Director of Programs, Flierl not only manages and oversees the SafeSpace emergency shelter and outreach staff, but also multiple programs run by SafeSpace including The Supportive Living Program, The Invest Program, which assists domestic violence victims who have had potentially lethal experiences, and The Rural Program, which assists underserved victims that are from immigrant and migrant communities.
“Witnessing the tragedies and challenges of victims who enter the shelter is heart wrenching, but being able to make a positive difference in their lives through our programs is deeply fulfilling and truly has been my life’s calling,” Flierl said.
Flierl received a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Florida Atlantic University and a Master’s in Social Work from Florida State University. Following graduation, she spent time teaching special education in Atlanta, Georgia before returning to her hometown of Palm City in 2004.
Since her return to the Treasure Coast, Flierl has entrenched herself in community work. She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and earned her Addictions Professional Certification while working as a psychotherapist for Tykes & Teens, a community mental health organization for children.
In 2007, she began focusing on prevention while working for the Martin County Board of County Commissioners as their Prevention Coordinator. During this time, her goal was to reduce adolescent alcohol and substance abuse and other risky youth behavior.
However, she returned to Tykes & Teens in 2009 to help expand their prevention services and helped create Martin County’s first department solely dedicated to reducing public health concerns negatively impacting youth.
This is where she first became connected with SafeSpace, as both entities worked with Soroptimist International of Stuart to help organize the Trust Program, which provides opportunities to build healthy relationships among youths in Martin County by using strategies to reduce relationship violence.
Driven by a passion for working with women and women’s issues, Flierl is ready to take on her position head on.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to help end this silent pandemic,” said Flierl. “In this position I am looking forward to empowering my staff who in turn will empower women.”
