2009 is shaping up to be a very crucial year for domestic violence victims and the organizations who provide them with services. First of all, the 81^st session of the Texas Legislature began this week. In partnership with the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV), we would like to inform you that there are very important policies to watch

These include: 

·         Full funding for family violence programs across Texas. Keeping families safe in Texas can be accomplished through the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) request of $50.9 million for Texas family violence programs, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) call for $2.5 million for Battering Intervention and Prevention Programs (BIPP).  

·         Mandatory probation fees to family violence centers. Holding offenders accountable to the community can be achieved by making changes to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to require all defendants placed on probation for family violence offenses to pay $100 to their local family violence center as defined by the Human Resource Code.  

·         Strangulation as an enhanceable third degree felony. Saving lives is possible by adding a section to the current assault statute increasing the punishment for strangulation from a Class “A” misdemeanor. Incidents of intimate partner strangulation indicate both a progressing nature of abuse and a higher degree of danger for victims.  

We strongly encourage you to contact your legislators and make sure they know that you want them to make domestic violence a priority this session. For additional information on the TCFV Legislative Agenda and how to get actively involved in supporting the agenda, please visit http://www.tcfv.org/policy/purple-postcard/. 

Also this year, please keep in mind that during times of economic uncertainty, cases of domestic violence tend to increase. Ironically, during times when we are most challenged to raise money, we see a marked rise in the numbers of Texans needing our services.  For Texas Advocacy Project, that means we will be putting a greater focus on larger numbers of smaller donations. Your support in the range $20-$50 is more important than ever.

Please know that you CAN and WILL make a difference simply by making a one-time donation at this level! To support Texas Advocacy Project, please click here. 

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)