The World is Watching

A recently unfolding story in the national news media is highlighting the need for the very kind of services provided at Texas Advocacy Project.

Bobby Cutts is accused of murdering his girlfriend Jessie Davis and her unborn child in Canton, Ohio. The case has created a national media frenzy because of the brutal nature of the murder, but many news outlets have failed to make an important connection: the suspect has a history of domestic violence.

A former girlfriend of the suspect is using the case to encourage women in abusive relationships to seek help before it's too late.

Nikki Giavasis said in an interview on the Today show:  "As a woman when you are being a victim of domestic violence it is a very isolating thing, and most people, your friends and family don't know it; it happens behind closed doors...to get the message out if it is happening to you, you should speak up.  You should get out. You can call a hotline.  There is a way to get out."

Here at Texas Advocacy Project, we have years of experience that tells us Nikki Giavasis is right. We file thousands of life-saving protective orders a year on behalf of our clients across the state, and we know that sometimes that piece of paper is the only thing standing between our client and a potentially deadly batterer.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, please call one of our hotlines (see numbers to the right ) or visit our website today (http://www.texasadvocacyproject.org/)

Get a safety plan, get a protective order, get the safety you need.

The Project Welcomes New Staff!

Texas Advocacy Project welcomes Emily Schroeder as our Staff Attorney. Emily received her law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. Most recently she worked with the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program Inc., where she was instrumental in organizing their hurricane relief efforts - Katrina and Rita - a monumental undertaking.  Welcome to the team Emily!

The Hon. Deborah Hankinson Hosts the Project in Dallas

On June 21^st, Judge Deborah Hankinson hosted a beautiful reception for the Project at her home on Turtle Creek.

The guest list included several prominent attorneys and judges from the Dallas area, such as Chief Justice Linda Thomas of the Fifth Court of Appeals and Judge Glen Ashworth (retired). Guests were treated to champagne and hors d'oeuvres as they mingled with Project staffers on hand to help educate them about our work.

Many thanks to Judge Hankinson for her generosity and hospitality, as well as her help getting some buzz started about the Project up in Big D!

For more information about hosting a House Party of your own, please contact our Deputy Development Director at 512.225.9596.

family violence legal line

800-374-hope (Statewide)

512-476-5770 (In Austin)

family law hotline

800-777-fair (Statewide)

512-476-1866 (In Austin)

sexual assault legal hotline

888-296-safe (Statewide)

512-225-9290 (In Austin)

technical advocacy hotline

888-325-safe (Statewide)

512-476-5386 (In Austin)