Invest in the Safety Fund
Sign up for our newsletter
Join us at an upcoming event

Tag: trauma informed

Categories
DVAM

Understanding and Creating a Safety Plan: A Guide for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a crucial time to share knowledge, spread awareness, and provide essential resources to those in need. One such crucial resource is a Safety Plan.

A Safety Plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after you leave. Safety planning involves how to cope with emotions, tell friends and family about the abuse, take legal action, and more.

Below is an outline of what a Safety Plan is, how to create one, how to keep it private, and what to do if you need help.
What is a Safety Plan?
A Safety Plan is a comprehensive and detailed plan designed to prioritize your safety and the safety of your children and pets in situations of domestic abuse. It’s crucial for victims of domestic violence, providing them with structured guidance and a set of actionable steps that enhance their security in various situations.

Creating a Safety Plan
While You’re in the Relationship:

  • Identify Safe Areas in the Home: Know where to go if an argument occurs. Avoid small, enclosed spaces or rooms with weapons.
  • Develop a Code Word or Signal: Establish a word, phrase, or signal you can use with friends, family, or coworkers to indicate that you are in danger and need help.
  • Keep Essential Items Accessible: Have important items and documents readily available, so you can leave quickly.

When You’re Preparing to Leave:

  •  Choose the Right Time: Plan to leave at a time when your abuser is least likely to be around.
  • Pack a Bag: Have a bag packed with necessary items (clothing, medications, etc.) and keep it in a safe, easily accessible place.
  • Pack important documents- like Driver’s License, Social Security Card (for you and all your children), birth certificates, Passports, Immigration Documents, etc
  • Secure Funds: Save money or make arrangements for finances.
  • Know Where to Go: Plan where you will go and how you will get there. Avoid places where the abuser might find you.

After Leaving the Abuser:

  • Change Locks: If you’re staying in your home, change the locks as soon as possible.
  • Obtain a Protective Order: If necessary, get a protective order and keep it on you at all times.
  • Change Routines: Alter your daily routines to avoid encountering the abuser.

Keeping Your Safety Plan Private

  • Use a Safe Device: When researching or creating your safety plan, use a computer or phone that the abuser does not have access to.
  • When you get a new cellphone do not download anything from the Cloud. Tracking apps could be in your cloud account.
  • Protect Your Online Information: Change passwords and enhance online security.
  • Inform Trusted Friends or Family: Let them know about your safety plan so they can also remain vigilant.

Seeking Help

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help:

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline (US): Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org.
  • Local Shelters and Organizations: Find local resources that can provide assistance.
  • Law Enforcement: In an emergency, call 911 or your local authorities.

Remember, you are not alone, and creating a Safety Plan is a significant step towards ensuring your safety and wellbeing. Utilize the resources available and prioritize your security and peace of mind this Domestic Violence Awareness Month and beyond. Your life matters, and taking action to protect it is not just your right, but a crucial step towards a future free from abuse.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call the National Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.
Categories
Community Community Share DVAM

The Houston Police Department gives a HUGE Shout-out of appreciation to all our partners with Houston Area Women’s Center

The Houston Police Department (HPD) is a proud and long-standing partner with the Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC). HAWC is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing critical resources for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Trained advocates are available on their 24-Hour Hotline to provide survivors with information and resources to assess their danger, make a safety plan, find shelter, and access services such as counseling and legal help.

Coordinated responses have been recognized as a best practice in reducing domestic violence since the Violence Against Women Act was enacted over 20 years ago. This is particularly effective in our community when close-knit relationships develop and highly engaged domestic violence partners come together for collaborative efforts. Over the years, current and newly assigned investigators and supervisors attended the tours at the HAWC. The HAWC tours are conducted as part of our investigative training requirement for investigators and supervisors as it is beneficial to us to be able to share resource information with the survivors. On the HAWC tours, investigators meet with HAWC professionals and get to know each other by asking questions and sharing information on how to enhance supporting survivors. When Hurricane Harvey and the pandemic hit the Houston and surrounding areas, our strong relationships and trust allowed us all to streamline efforts to support and protect survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. When face-to-face communication was not an option, we instantly continued communicating through Zoom meetings, electronic mail, and phone calls. We are excited to resume our in-person HAWC tours again for information-sharing regarding support and resources for survivors and their families. Recently, we had thirty new investigators and supervisors added to our Family Violence Unit and Adult Sex Crimes Unit who toured HAWC. Our investigators and supervisors are passionate about ending the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault. Each investigator and supervisor enhanced their individual knowledge regarding resources and how best to support the recovery after such a violent crime. A huge shout out to Deputy CEO Sonia Corrales and Thank You for always welcoming and guiding us through the HAWC and how survivors navigate the processes and take steps to recover from the violence. Also, we were joined by Director of Residential Services Pamela Ellis, Manager of Legal Service Jacklyn Guerra and Director of Violence Prevention and Training Michelle Sacks who are all hardworking dedicated professionals. We cannot express enough gratitude for all your continuous hard work that you put into everything you do for survivors! We are so grateful to have you as partners over the many years and thank you for all the hard work you are doing each day providing critical resources to the survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault!

About the Author

Kira Webster, Lieutenant at the Houston Police Department

Major Assault & Family Violence Division

Categories
DVAM Voices Of Freedom

Silencing The Shame and Living in Agape: Your Journey Towards Healing

As we step into October, a month dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence, I want to address a crucial and often overlooked issue that affects countless lives. Why? Because I firmly believe that it’s time for us to collectively confront the pervasive yet often silenced impact of domestic violence.

Personal journeys through domestic violence can often feel profoundly isolating. I know this from my own experience. It was a lonely path until I discovered a community of support. Sadly, many of my loved ones, including church family members, didn’t know how to extend their support. That’s why I’m on a mission to give voice to this topic, recognizing that many women are affected by shame.

If you’ve made it to this paragraph, this topic must interest you. Let’s go deeper. Shame is a distorted identity we place on ourselves when we experience the perception of having done something dishonorable, immoral, or improper. Sometimes, we feel worthless, helpless, powerless, nameless, and hopeless. Seeing ourselves as “less” than is often connected to childhood trauma.

But here’s the profound truth: When we let go of our shame, we can feel more at peace, be happier with who we are, and experience true healing. When we embrace every facet of who we are, we tap into the transformative power of self-love.

Healing is closer than you think. You deserve to live in AGAPE. Healing can start today with:

  • Acceptance and Affirmations: Begin your healing journey by accepting that healing takes time and acknowledging your worth. Affirm yourself with positive self-talk, recognizing that you deserve love and support. Focus on the words “I am”! There is power in affirming your greatness.
  • Guidance from Professionals: Seek advice from trained therapists or counselors who can offer professional support, strategies, and confidential space to help you gain new tools to place in your tool kit for healing. The Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council can be a resource for you. This community helped me in my healing journey.
  • Advocacy for Yourself: Learn what your rights are. Trust me, when you go through the process of self-advocacy, you will, in turn, be a resource for someone else. Advocacy raises your overall level of self-awareness and consciousness.
  • Pursuing Knowledge: Expand your knowledge about domestic violence, its psychological effects, and the resources available for survivors. Learning more about domestic violence helped me understand what my shame was rooted in.
  • Establishing Healthy Boundaries: Recognize the importance of setting and enforcing healthy boundaries to protect your emotional, mental, and physical well-being. NO. is a complete sentence.

Remember, you are not alone, you can silence the shame. We are ready to support you on your path to living a life free from shame.

If you’d like to learn more information about the Silencing the Shame series, please email our Voices of Freedom Ambassador, Lereca Monik. You can also check our weekly newsletter for her series announcements or check her Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/lereca.monik

If you or someone you know is in danger, call the National Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.

About the Author

Leraca Monik is one of HCDVCC’s Voice of Freedom Ambassadors.

Categories
DVAM

The Importance Of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

person holding a sign "You're not alone!" with the title of the blog in the image "The Importance Of Domestic Violence Awareness Month" in the image.
person holding a sign "You're not alone!" with the title of the blog in the image "The Importance Of Domestic Violence Awareness Month" in the image.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is observed every October in the United States. It is a month dedicated to raising awareness about the issues of domestic violence, honoring those who have died, supporting survivors, and mobilizing communities to take action to prevent this devastating crime. The month-long observance plays a crucial role in shedding light on an issue that is often cloaked in silence, and in empowering victims to find safety and healing. While we recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we know every day is a battlefield for domestic violence victims, their families, their friends, and our community.

Statistics Highlight the Urgency of the Issue

Domestic violence is a pervasive and deadly issue. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. Moreover, on a typical day, domestic violence hotlines across the country receive over 20,000 calls, highlighting the urgency and prevalence of the issue.

The Impact of Domestic Violence

The impact of domestic violence extends beyond the physical harm inflicted on victims. It also encompasses emotional, psychological, and financial abuse, all of which can have long-term detrimental effects on victims and their children. The exposure to domestic violence can contribute to a range of emotional and psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to continue the cycle, either as perpetrators or victims in their adult lives.

Supporting Victims and Preventing Violence

Raising awareness about domestic violence is crucial in supporting survivors and preventing further violence. Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides a platform for survivors to share their stories, for communities to learn about the signs of abuse, and for organizations and individuals to share resources and information.

Providing Help Information

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, it’s vital to seek help immediately. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), providing confidential assistance and connecting callers with local resources.

How Others Can Help

Everyone has a role to play in ending domestic violence:

  • Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the signs of domestic violence and share this information with friends, family, and colleagues.
  • Listen and Believe: If someone discloses that they are experiencing abuse, listen to them, believe their story, and provide non-judgmental support.
  • Support Local Organizations: Donate your time or resources to local organizations working to support survivors and prevent domestic violence.
  • Advocate for Policies: Advocate for policies at local, state, and federal levels that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a critical time for communities to come together to support survivors, remember those who have lost their lives, and work collaboratively to end domestic violence. By raising awareness, providing resources, and fostering a culture of support and accountability, it’s possible to make significant strides towards ending domestic violence for good.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call the National Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.
Categories
Title IX

The Imperative Role of The “Working With Children and Youth Academy” in Educating Today’s Educators

This image is a teacher learning to work with kids who have experienced trauma in our online portal.
This image is a teacher learning to work with kids who have experienced trauma in our online portal.

Domestic violence is a widespread issue affecting millions of households across the world, casting a dark shadow on children’s lives. The ripple effects reach educational institutions, leaving teachers and educators to handle more than just academics. Addressing this critical concern, Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council has launched the “Working With Children and Youth Academy” to equip educators with the skills and knowledge they need to help their students navigate these difficult experiences.

The Growing Crisis

Approximately ten million children each year witness domestic violence in their homes. As staggering as these numbers are, they only scratch the surface. Domestic violence does not just disrupt the lives of adults; it inflicts long-term emotional and psychological scars on children. In many cases, the children affected are attending school, often showing signs of secondary trauma that educators may not immediately recognize or understand.

Educating the Educators

The academy is designed specifically for educators teaching from elementary through high school levels. As the front-line guardians of children’s emotional and intellectual growth, teachers need to be equipped to handle not just academics but also the social and emotional facets of their students’ lives. This is why the academy provides a holistic approach to teacher training.

Core Topics Covered
The curriculum of the academy covers a variety of essential topics:
• Dynamics of Domestic Violence: Understanding the multifaceted aspects of domestic violence is crucial for early intervention and effective response.
• Introduction to Trauma: This topic provides foundational knowledge about trauma, helping educators identify symptoms and adapt their teaching strategies.
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE): Focusing on the long-term impacts of domestic violence on children, the course unpacks how ACE can affect academic performance and behavior.
• Creating a Trauma-Informed Classroom: Educators are given tools to create an environment that is sensitive to the needs of children experiencing trauma, thereby facilitating better learning outcomes.

A Collaborative Effort
The Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council collaborates with subject matter experts in domestic violence, thereby ensuring that the academy’s courses are up-to-date, factual, and deeply insightful.

Education has always been considered a sanctuary for children, a place where they can grow, learn, and become the best versions of themselves. However, for children who are victims of domestic violence, school can also be a battlefield of emotions and hidden scars. The “Working With Children and Youth Academy” offers a glimmer of hope, arming educators with the resources they need to turn the classroom into a haven where every child has an opportunity to thrive.

To learn more about this COURSE and ENROLL, CLICK HERE!
Categories
Title IX

Understanding and Combating the Increased Risk of Sexual Assault on College Campuses

As thousands of excited students step onto college campuses for the first time each fall, they are met with a myriad of experiences—new friendships, challenging academics, and a taste of independence. However, they also face an alarming and heightened risk for sexual assault during a period known as the “Red Zone.” This term refers to the first few weeks of the academic year when sexual assault incidents are statistically higher. In this blog post, we’ll delve into why the Red Zone exists, what factors contribute to it, and what can be done to protect students.

What is the “Red Zone”?
The “Red Zone” is generally considered to be the period from the beginning of the academic year through homecoming. It’s a timeframe during which new students, particularly freshmen, are more susceptible to sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence. The concept has gained traction over the years, leading to increased awareness and preventative measures on campuses across the country.

Contributing Factors

  • Lack of Familiarity
    For many students, especially freshmen, the college environment is entirely new. The unfamiliarity with campus geography, social norms, and resources can make new students more vulnerable.
  • New Social Dynamics
    College introduces a host of new social experiences and pressures. From parties to dorm life, these new dynamics can sometimes create situations where the lines of consent are not clearly understood.
  • Alcohol and Party Culture
    The beginning of the academic year is often marked by a surge in social activities and parties. Unfortunately, these gatherings can sometimes involve excessive alcohol consumption, which contributes to poor decision-making and can lead to situations where sexual assault occurs.
  • Predatory Behavior
    There are individuals who exploit the vulnerability of new students, capitalizing on their lack of experience and awareness. These predators may be fellow students, older students, or even non-students who find their way onto campus.

Prevention and Awareness

  • Educational Programs
    Many schools now offer orientation sessions that include discussions on consent, bystander intervention, and the risks associated with the Red Zone. These programs aim to equip students with the information and tools they need to protect themselves and others.
    Increased Security Measures
    During the Red Zone, some campuses bolster security efforts, including increased patrols and enhanced surveillance. These measures aim to deter potential predators and offer better protection for students.
  • Resources and Support
    Educational institutions often provide resources such as hotlines, counseling services, and online information to help students navigate the risks associated with the Red Zone and to offer support to survivors of sexual assault.

    While the Red Zone is a period of heightened risk, it’s crucial to remember that sexual assault can happen at any time during the academic year. Therefore, awareness and preventative measures should be ongoing efforts. It’s a collective responsibility—administrators, faculty, students, and the community at large must work together to create a safer campus for everyone.

    By understanding the factors that contribute to the Red Zone, we can better arm ourselves and others with the knowledge and resources needed to combat this troubling issue. Let’s take the steps needed to transform the Red Zone from a period of risk to one of awareness, education, and empowerment. 
Categories
Community Share domesticviolenceshelters DVAM Op-eds Sexual Assault

Houston Area Domestic Violence Providers Study – The Article

Blog Header for article "effects that domestic violence has on survivors’ mental health".

To download a copy of this study, please click the button below.

About the Author

headshot of Dr. Elizabeth Gregory

Professor of English and Director of Women’s Gender & Sexuality Studies

Elizabeth Gregory, Taylor Professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies and Professor of English, directs the WGSS Program and the UH Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality. She writes on Marianne Moore’s poetry and women’s work and fertility. Read more about her here.

Categories
Community Share domesticviolenceshelters DVAM Op-eds Sexual Assault

Houston Area Domestic Violence Providers Study

Blog Header for article "effects that domestic violence has on survivors’ mental health".

UH Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality
Report to the Community

February 2023

Houston Area Domestic Violence Providers Study
+ Initial Local DV Data Aggregation

Study recommends major investment in DV infrastructure as IPV homicides double in 3 years

This report shares the results of UH-IRWGS’s study of regional Domestic Violence [DV] Service Providers, based on interviews and group discussions with leaders of 12 local DV shelters and nonresidential agencies. It recommends significant community investment in expanded DV infrastructure coordination and staffing, to move from the current model of limited response to overwhelming demand to a model that allows the community to not only address DV cases more effectively but to analyze and address causes as well.

In addition, the report contains an initial aggregation of regional DV data – including data from some shelters, law enforcement, and nonresidential service providers (see Supplement). Future reports will provide more detail and include data from more sources.<p/p>

Executive Summary

Houston has a major problem with Domestic Violence assaults and homicides: Calls for Shelter and Calls for Service from the police are high, and IPV homicides doubled between 2019 and 2022, rising from 32 to 64 across the two largest police departments in Harris County (HPD and HCSO).

  • Violence is rampant in this region, across ranks. As was indicated by the recent IPV assault by the (now former) UT basketball coach and January DV cases involving a house set fire with family members within and the decapitation of a young immigrant bride.
  • We need a stronger DV infrastructure to turn the tide.
  • Based on qualitative interviews and group discussions with local DV service providers as well as local data analysis, this report recommends a significant strategic investment in strengthening the currently under-resourced DV service-provider collaborative. A centralized coordination infrastructure, with administrative staff based both centrally and within individual agencies, would enable DV providers across the region (shelters and nonresidential providers in collaboration with law enforcement, courts, and other social services agencies encountering DV) to operate and strategize collaboratively, improve and expand services, and address causes.
  • While funds for direct services are essential, expanded investment in DV infrastructure would be a game changer.
  • Currently, each provider operates on its own, creating inefficiencies at all levels: operational redundancies, inconsistent standards, a lack of unified voice on DV, and, because each is overtaxed with providing service to those at their door, an inability to see much beyond the immediate need
  • The collaborative needs a core administrative team, including an Operations Manager, a Communications Coordinator, a Researcher/Evaluator and a Grant Writer, based in the Harris County DV Coordinating Council. In addition, expanded staffing is needed within provider organizations to carry out collaborative initiatives. An investment for this purpose of $1,000,000 / year for five years from local funders would be transformative
  • A smaller initial infrastructure investment would get change under way, but working by half measures as has long been the case in this region will not enable the real change needed. Over time, grant funding will increase, to cover costs.
  • This significant strategic investment will allow providers to
    • analyze and reframe their services & policies
    • deliver services more effectively
    • work with agencies across the community to address the causes of violence in our region
    • raise more funds and expand services
    • advocate for regional policy change around the issues that give rise to DV

Newly Aggregated DV Data

  • You can’t fix a problem, if you don’t know what it is. Due to costs and complexity, the limited DV data collected to date has not previously been combined to provide a full regional picture. This groundbreaking report begins to aggregate local DV data. Future reports will provide more detail and include data from more shelters, agencies & regional police departments, with a goal to inform response.
  • The Covid emergency raised the level of domestic violence in the Houston area. And per HPD and HCSO data, identified Intimate Partner Violence [IPV] homicides continued to rise after the lockdown ended—doubling in their combined jurisdictions between 2019 and 2022, rising from 32/year to 64/year over that period. That’s a 73% rise in HPD – and 160% in HCSO (a combined 100% rise). [See Figure S-3.]
  • The rise overlaps with the move to permit-less carry which went into effect in Texas in September 2021. Between 2020 and 2022 the number of HPD IPV homicides committed with a gun increased by 61%, while the overall number of IPV homicides increased by 52%. While other factors may play in, the easy availability of guns puts many women at risk for homicide, as well as for terroristic threats of homicide within IPV situations.
  • While overall homicides and non-IPV FV homicides fell in 2022 in HPD data, IPV homicides continued to rise.
  • Calls for shelter have also risen steadily since the lockdown, to rates above what they were prior to March 2020, and callers are regularly turned away for lack of space.
  • Overall DV calls for service have fallen since 2020 in both HPD and HCSO, but numbers remain high: HPD received between 25,000 to 27,000 calls for service around DV for 2019-2021. This data is not sortable by IPV, so we don’t know if there is an effect similar to that in the homicide data differentiating IPV and non-IPV outcomes. We have not received complete 2022 data, but it looks on track to roughly 24,000 in 2022.
  • Many thousands more suffer without reaching out, not believing things would improve if they did or not knowing that help is available.
  • Harris County has 330 shelter beds, while New York City, with twice the population, has more than ten times as many shelter beds, at 3500.
  • Though affordable housing is the best solution for many, it is not widely available; shelters, nonresidential providers and mobile advocates provide alternatives for those in immediate need.
  • A targeted investment in DV administrative infrastructure can turn the tide on DV assaults and homicides.
  • Improved victim service delivery along with a community violence prevention focus will benefit all Houstonians.
  • Though this change will require significant start-up costs, the infrastructure thus created will increase ability to bring in more federal and other external funds down the line.

Additional Findings

  • The high volume of people experiencing IPV in this region links directly to the state’s low level of family support infrastructure, the lack of affordable housing and the low wages earned by Texas women.
  • People dependent on others, especially those with children they don’t want to unhouse, become more vulnerable to violence at the hands of those they depend upon.
  • This is true at any income level but is particularly true for those at low incomes. Since higher-income women may be able to leave when things get grim and still keep their children and themselves housed, they are less likely to utilize shelters than low-income women. Higher-income women more often employ the safety planning resources providers offer.
  • Though Houston’s DV service providers were already strapped before the pandemic, since its onset and in the face of multiplying demand, DV shelters and other providers have stepped up services, helped by Covid Emergency federal funds. Before these funds are gone, the community needs to reorganize its response to DV for the long haul.
  • While DV providers have offered survivors a range of services for some time, the pandemic spurred innovations that have improved service delivery overall: including Bed Availability App, DV High Risk Teams / DART, Mobile Advocacy, Flexible Funding, Text Hotlines, Hotel Stays, Longer Stays, etc.
  • Many in need do not know of, or feel distrustful of, DV service providers, so clearer communications and continued trust building are needed.
  • Transportation is a major issue for those seeking shelter across Harris County.
  • The HCDVCC coordinated housing queue is a great improvement on the past, but it met less than one third of eligible demand in 2022.
  • Staff burnout has been a huge issue for shelters during Covid.
  • Black women in economic precarity are overrepresented in shelter in Harris County.
  • Undocumented Hispanic women suffering DV seem underrepresented in shelters, likely due to threats of deportation from their abusers or lack of information on their rights.
  • Asian and Muslim women generally reach out to culturally specific DV agencies, when they reach out.
  • The leadership of DV agencies is now more inclusive of women of color than it has been historically, enabling wider range of insight and overcoming of survivors’ distrust.
  • All DV leaders need sustained support and engagement from the community as they struggle to address the ongoing DV crisis here.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE STUDY

About the Author

headshot of Dr. Elizabeth Gregory

Professor of English and Director of Women’s Gender & Sexuality Studies

Elizabeth Gregory, Taylor Professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies and Professor of English, directs the WGSS Program and the UH Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality. She writes on Marianne Moore’s poetry and women’s work and fertility. Read more about her here.