1. Domestic Violence 101 Jennifer Fernandez, Executive Director
Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter, Inc.

2. The Stats
In 2014, 132 women were killed in Texas by a current or former intimate partner
10 family members or friends were also killed
An additional 13 family members or friends injured
120 bystanders present during the murder
Texas Council on Family Violence

3. The Stats Oldest woman killed was 90 years old, shot by her husband
The youngest woman killed was 16 years old
Pregnant with twins
Stabbed and strangled
Texas Council on Family Violence

4. The Stats In 2014, Texas programs:
Answered185,373 hotline calls
Sheltered 23,311adults and children
Provided nonresidential services to 61,119 adults and children
185,817 family violence incidents were reported in 2014
Texas Council on Family Violence

5. The Stats
74% of Texans have experienced some form of family violence or know someone who has
Every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten in the U.S.

6. Defining D.V. Pattern of controlling, coercive, abusive behavior
Abuse can take many forms, including verbal/emotional, physical, sexual, and economic abuse
Control is the underlying dynamic
Abuse typically follows a continuum ranging from verbal, manipulative, and controlling behaviors to physical violence, sexual violence, and potentially death

7. Physical Abuse Slapping Hair pulling Hitting Kicking Biting Shoving
Strangling
Burning
Restraining
Spanking
Pinching
Drugging
Abusing children
Abusing animals
Stabbing
Shooting

8. Verbal and Emotional Abuse
Name calling
Threats
Threats to others, including children, family, pets, friends, etc.
Insults – calling her stupid, crazy, lazy, worthless, etc.
Demanding attention, competing with others (including children) for her attention.
Scaring her (and often mocking her afterward)
Accusations of infidelity
Questioning her – Interrogation, denying sleep, food, etc during questioning
Isolation from family and friends
Humiliating/degrading in front of others, including children
Blaming
Insulting family and friends
Playing “mind games”
Isolation is almost always present – this ensures control over the victim by removing her support system

9. Sexual Abuse Forcing victim to dress provocatively
Forced prostitution
Forcing victim to engage in sex with others
“Checking” for infidelity
Unwanted recording or threatening to disclose recordings of the victim engaged in sexual acts (Whether or not these recordings actually exist)
Unwanted sexual advances
Forced sexual activity
Forcing acts the victim does not want to engage in
Withholding sex
Demanding sex after a physical assault
Injuring breasts or genitals
Use of objects

10. Economic Abuse Not allowing the victim to work Giving her an allowance
Forcing her to be under-employed
Not allowing the victim to go to school
Calling or going to her work excessively
Taking victim’s money
No shared decision making in the family finances
Giving her an allowance
Using money for rent, utilities, etc on drugs, alcohol, or frivolous items
Coercing the victim into begging, stealing, selling drugs or committing other crimes for money
Withholding money for necessary items, making her “earn” this money
Making her ask for money

11. Normalizing Abnormal Behavior
Violence occurs following a continuum
As violence escalates, actions on the lower end of the continuum lose significance
Victims may begin to believe they had a role in causing the abuse
Victims begin to discount their emotional and physical health and safety

12. Explosive Incident Phase
Honeymoon Phase
Tension Building Phase

13. Why She Stays Helplessness Love Self-blame Normalizes Abusive Behavior
Children
Lacks Knowledge of Remedies
Fear of the Legal System
Fear
Batterer
Retaliation
Being Alone
Not Being Believed
Love
Normalizes Abusive Behavior
Learned Behavior
Financial Dependency
Religious Beliefs
Hopes he will change
Low self-esteem
Isolation

14. Leaving Doesn’t Stop the Violence
Approximately 75% of reports to law enforcement are made during or after an attempt to leave
Approximately 75% of victims requiring emergency medical services receive their injuries after they have left their abuser
3x more likely to be killed
Elevated risk for as long as 2 years after leaving

15. Leaving Doesn’t Stop the Violence
Of the 132 women killed in 2014:
43 had ended the relationship
15 were separated
8 were in the process of leaving
Texas Council on Family Violence

16. Effects of Abuse Lowered self-esteem Physical Injuries
Guilt/Self-blaming
Poverty
Homelessness
Drug and alcohol abuse
Loss of children (CPS removal)
Increased health care costs
Death
Physical Injuries
Depression
Anxiety
PTSD
Increased suicide risk
Sleeplessness
Isolation
Sense of helplessness
Fear
Stigma

17. Interacting With Victims
They are experiencing a crisis
Victims and their actions/reactions can vary greatly
Their biochemical trauma response is outside their control
Recognize that victims are under a great deal of stress and may not remember or understand everything you are telling them
Recognize what it took for them to make the call
Be judgement free
Objective, yet empathetic

18. Interacting With Victims
Being uncooperative may not mean she does not want help
Be honest, and make no promises
NEVER tell a victim “Its going to be okay.”
Help her to identify her options
If she wants to leave, help give the tools to do so safely

19. Your Response Matters Is this the first time they’ve made the call?
Repeat Caller?
Victims leave 7-13 times before leaving for good
Is this the time?
If perceived that the system can’t or won’t protect them, are they going to call back?
Did your contact leave the victim feeling empowered or re-victimized?
A few minutes of your time can be life-changing for the victim

20. Resources Get to know your local program
Search or Download
SAFE (National Hotline)

21. Eligibility
Victim of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking
Children and family of victims
As primary or secondary victims
Females and males
Adult male victims receive the same services as females except they do not stay in the Shelter.

22. Eligibility Victims of family/dating violence under 18 years of age
Accompanied by parent/guardian
Legally emancipated
Minor-mother

23. Services 24-hour Crisis Line Emergency Shelter
Callers may receive information, support, services, and referrals from an advocate 24/7
Calls may be anonymous
Emergency Shelter
Avg. stay days
Every situation is unique

24. Services Safety Planning Crisis Intervention
Helping victims to be safer in abusive situations
Preparing to leave an abusive relationship
Crisis Intervention
Helping survivor to cope with immediate crisis response
Assist in meeting needs and short-term goals
Identify support and resources

25. Services Accompaniment Case Management
During forensic examinations, interactions with law enforcement, prosecutor’s offices, and the courts
Case Management
Service planning, problem solving, goal setting, applications for assistance, information and referrals, transportation arrangements

26. Services Counseling Support Programs Individual Group Adult Child
Group or Individual
Peer Counseling
H.E.A.R.T.
Parenting

27. Services Legal Advocacy
Advocacy for divorce, custody, child support and relocation
Assist with emergency and standard Protective Orders
Assists in applying for Crime Victims Compensation
Assistance with Immigration issues
Provides accompaniment to court and law enforcement

28. Services Multidisciplinary Training and Community Education
Provide materials
Resource
May be source of “experts”

29. Benefits of Strong Partnerships
Victim receives comprehensive support and services
Better outcomes
Opportunities to break cycle
Promotes safety
Victim
Officer

30. service and dedication!
Thank you for your
service and dedication!
Jennifer Fernandez
Executive Director
Guadalupe Valley Family Violence
Shelter, Inc.