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In this issue:
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! As a recipient of our monthly e-update, you're already aware Texas Advocacy Project provides free legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Texas. But there are many questions surrounding the complex issue of domestic violence (i.e. Why does domestic abuse happen? Why does the victim stay?) that may have gone unanswered for you. We would like to take this opportunity, during domestic violence awareness month, to expand your knowledge of why abuse occurs, what can be done to prevent it, and how to stop it once it starts. Texas Advocacy Project would also like to announce the creation of a Domestic Violence 101 webpage being launched on October 15th on our website at www.texasadvocacyproject.org. This new resource will outline the warning signs of an abusive partner and the safety precautions victims should adhere to while still trapped in an abusive relationship; in addition the new webpage will compile a list of places victims can call for help - currently available throughout our website - into one convenient location. There will also be a recommended reading list for those interested in learning more about the dynamics of domestic violence, links to relevent news articles, and more. We appreciate your taking the time to read the following information explaining the complex set of behaviors and circumstances which create and sustain abusive relationships - it could truly prove to be life saving. Domestic violence is rooted in issues of control. An abusive partner may feel the need to control and dominate their partner because of low self-esteem, extreme jealousy, difficulties in regulating anger and other strong emotions, or when they feel inferior to their partner in some way. This domination can take the form of emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Initially, the abuse may be limited to emotional and verbal attacks, with perpetrators using intimidation, fear and humiliation to wear down their partner's sense of personal power and strength.
Abusers will often attempt to isolate their partner from friends, family and neighbors so that their partner will lose their network of social support.
And abusers may encourage their partner to quit their job, causing them to lose financial independence - creating another obstacle to a victim's ability to leave their abuser.
Emotional and verbal abuse is dangerous to a victim's mental well being, often leading to depression and other emotional problems which can ultimately affect physical health.
But far too often cases of verbal and emotional abuse escalate to physical violence, as the abusive partner turns to increasingly severe methods to maintain control.
Eventually the physical violence can lead to serious injury, resulting in hospitalization or even death.
According to data from the Texas Department of Public Safety, 136 women were killed by an intimate partner in Texas in 2008; this represents 39 percent of all women murdered in Texas that year. A victim's decision to leave represents the ultimate loss of control for the abuser. Statistics show the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence is immediately following an attempt to leave - 75% of women killed by their intimate partner have recently moved out of their shared home with an abuser (i.e. staying with a friend or family member or in a new home of their own). Victims who remain with their abuser sense that any attempt to leave their abusive partner will trigger a violent response and are often too afraid to take this step. Even more perplexing to those trying to understand domestic violence is that victims sometimes return several times to their abuser before leaving for good. After a few months on his/her own, a victim with no job, no financial planning experience, no child support, and no way to pay for an attorney to address these issues may get so overwhelmed he/she begins to think it may be easier to go back to their abuser. This is where social services and especially legal intervention - one of the only solutions related to the national decline in domestic violence - prove critical.
Free legal advice can help guide a victim through the legal steps necessary to collect child support and spousal support, helping a victim refrain from returning to their abuser for financial support.
And obtaining a protective order - a civil court order making it illegal for an abuser to be near the victim's home, workplace and children's school - has been shown to reduce the chances a victim will be assaulted again by 80%. The ability to recognize the signs of an abusive partner can potentially be life saving.
Getting out of an abusive relationship early - before the abuse has escalated - is key.
Please familiarize yourself with the signs of emotional and verbal abuse listed below, which can serve as an indicator you're dealing with someone capable of physical abuse. An abusive partner is someone who: Identify local agencies and services that can help you (resources listed below); find out about legal options to enhance your safety and independence: protective orders, divorce, custody arrangements, child support, etc. Keep important phone numbers (such as your shelter contact, attorney, police, etc.) with you at all times; consider using a public phone and public computer (such as at your local library) to call and research organizations in your area who can help you - abusers often monitor cell phone records and install spy ware on personal computer equipment in a further attempt to control all aspects of a victim's personal life. Give some money, an extra set of keys, copies of your important documents, a bag of clothes and essentials (including medicines) to someone you trust for safekeeping for when you're ready to leave; determine who would let you stay with them if necessary. Identify a neighbor you can tell about the violence and ask him/her to call for help if he/she hears a disturbance coming from your home. Take steps to increase or establish your independence. For example, open a savings account in your own name, or find out about job opportunities and transportation options. Practice getting out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevator or stairs would work best. Review your safety plan with a domestic violence advocate in your area. For further safety planning information, such as: Safety During an Explosive Incident, Safety After Separating From The Batterer, Safety With a Protective Order, Safety When You Share Children with the Batterer, Safety On the Job & In Public, Your Safety and Emotional Health, and Information on What To Take When You Leave, please visit our new Domestic Violence 101 webpage starting October 15th. Statewide: Texas Advocacy Project National: National Domestic Violence Hotline Child and Adult Abuse Hotline National Center for Victims of Crime For those interested in learning more about domestic abuse, Toby Myers, of the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, with help from Nancy Flanakin, has compiled the following Recommended Reading List. *Cover art by Porter Middle School student, Carlos - his submission to the 2006 Teen Dating Violence Poster Contest was recognized as the Best Use of Illustration. Join the NATIONAL CENTER ON DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE this Saturday, October 10th here in Austin, TX for a benefit concert to raise funds to place an exceptional collection of materials on domestic and sexual violence in the library of the University of Texas. Benefit Concert 4 PM - SONGWRITER CIRCLE with BEN MALLOTT, CHARLIE FAYE, JARROD DICKENSON & MARGO VALIANTE To donate go to www.ncdsv.org |
family violence legal line800-374-hope (Statewide)512-476-5770 (In Austin)family law hotline800-777-fair (Statewide)512-476-1866 (In Austin)sexual assault legal hotline888-296-safe (Statewide)512-225-9290 (In Austin)technical advocacy hotline888-325-safe (Statewide)512-476-5386 (In Austin)
 
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