DYNAMICS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - “You will face many defeats in your life, but never let yourself be defeated.” - Maya Angelou

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE

ACTIONS CONSIDERED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTIMIDATE MANIPULATE HUMILIATE ISOLATE FRIGHTEN TERRORIZE BLAME CONTROL

TEXAS STATISTICS* Counties indicated in white had one or more domestic/family violence fatalities in 2017. Purple counties experienced no fatalities during that time. 136 Women were killed by a male intimate partner in 42 Texas counties in 2017. ONE IN EVERY 10 HOMICIDES IN TEXAS is perpetrated by a man killing his former or current female intimate partner.

TEXAS STATISTICS* Counties with the most fatalities: Harris 29 Bexar 18 Tarrant 12 Dallas 8 Collin 7 Impacted: Others injured 7 Others killed 15 Children lost a parent 211

Women between the ages of TEXAS STATISTICS* Youngest Victim 14 Years Old Oldest Victim 84 Women between the ages of 20 – 39 Made up 49% of victims

TEXAS STATISTICS* 70% Location: Of perpetrators killed their partners at home. Relationship Status: Wife 65 Ex-Wife 9 Girlfriend 41 Ex-Girlfriend 18 Other 3 Means of Death: 65% of perpetrators used a firearm to murder their female partner 15% - Stabbed 9% - Strangled 7% - Physical Assault 4% - Other/Undetermined Other: arson, suffocation, vehicular assault, and unknown *Texas Council on Family Violence. Honoring Texas Victims: Family Violence Fatalities in 2017. www.tcfv.org

Phases of abuse

CASUES OF VIOLENCE CASE STUDY #1 CASE STUDY #2

What should you do if you’re being abused? Get Help Talk with someone you trust, such as a friend, a help center, or your doctor Contact a local advocacy group for support, information, and advice on how to stay safe Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)

What should you do if you know someone who is being abused Be a good listener and a caring friend Remind the person that no one deserves to be treated this way Let the person know that the abuse is against the law and that help is available Suggest they call Southwest Family Life Centers, Inc. Suggest they call the National Domestic Violence Hotline to find a local domestic violence support group

SOUTHWEST FAMILY LIFE CENTERS, INC. 24-hour crisis hotline Peer Counseling Services Legal Advocacy, referral and court accompaniment Assistance in obtaining Protective Orders Assistance with Texas Victims Compensation Claims Temporary Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter Information and referral on community resources Safety planning Crisis Intervention Community Education

Contact information for southwest family life centers, Inc. Medina County Headquarters/Shelter (830)426-5972 (830)426-5131 HOTLINE Frio County (830)334-4556 Uvalde County (830)278-1067 Also serving Real and Kinney County

For help or more information: In an emergency situation, ALWAYS CALL 911 National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 www.thehotline.org National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474 www.loveisrespect.org Rape, Abuse and Incest National Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) www.rainn.org National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Contact information Elda M. Garcia, M.Ed. Executive Director Southwest Family Life Centers, Inc. (830)426-5972 (830)426-5131 swflcegarcia@gmail.com