The ARK has announced that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As such, this is the perfect time to discuss this issue and work to understand how domestic violence threatens the fabric of society.
First, the definition—domestic violence is emotional, financial, mental, as well as physical and sexual; it stems from one person’s need to control another in order to feel powerful. When the one who needs to dominate is losing power (perceived or real) in other parts of life, it is the intimate partner who bears the brunt.
The mission of Pecan Valley Regional Domestic Violence Shelter, Inc., dba, The ARK is to provide safe shelter and comprehensive resident and non-resident services through advocacy, referrals and education to support and empower victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, one family at a time.
According to a Texas Council on Family Violence survey, Texans demonstrate a willingness to blame domestic violence on circumstances beyond an abuser’s control and on the victim, rather than acknowledge the abuser’s culpability. To be clear, violence is a choice.
Abusers prey on their partners’ weaknesses, eventually driving the victim to doubt themselves or their ability to do anything right. Abusers use mind games, threats, promises and apologies. It is a vicious cycle. Victims are often isolated from friends and family. It is not uncommon to ask why a victim stays in the relationship. The better question is “What are the barriers that prevent a victim from leaving an abusive relationship?”
There are many reasons: fear of physical harm (statistics show victims face greater danger when leaving a relationship), fear of being found and killed, fear of economic instability, fear of the court system or the possibility of losing custody of children, fear of leaving the family pet, fear of the unknown. Many victims also suffer from guilt, embarrassment and low self-esteem, and feel they don’t have a support system or a place to go to. And, still many victims love their abusers—there are periods of calm, nurturing and love between incidents of violence.
Then there are the many children who witness family violence. Research has shown that many of them are likely to abuse their partners or become victims after reaching adulthood, and their children also will be affected, and so on and so on. The cycle can continue for generations.
Domestic violence can happen to any one of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. No one is immune.
Special Events For National Domestic Violence Month Include:
-Free Sausage Wrap Lunch and Bumper Magnets – Wendlee Broadcasting – Thursday October 8th 11am-1pm
-Candlelight Vigil at Girling Center for Social Justice – Tuesday October 27th 7pm
-Watch for Empty Shoe Display around Brownwood, Coleman, and Comanche locations.
So far in 2009, The ARK served a total of 2,775 victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault with a wide array of the following services:
- 24-Hour Hotline and Shelter – The ARK is staffed 24 hours a day and 7 days a week
- Crisis Intervention
- Safety Planning
- Case Management
- Advocacy
- Legal Advocacy
- Access to Emergency Medical Care
- Hospital/Medical Accompaniment
- Shelter with private rooms
- Direct Care and Outreach Services
- Bi-lingual Services
- Support Groups
- Transportation
- Legal Assistance including all protective orders filed within Brown County, assistance with legal aid, and court accompaniment
- Public Awareness and Training
- Transitional Housing
- Provide all basic needs of clients while in the shelter and assisting them in setting up their housing away from the abuser
- Parenting Classes
- Child Play Therapy Sessions
- Monetary assistance with rent and utilities
- Professional Development
- Education including budgeting, household management, etc.
- Sexual Assault Advocate that provides support services to victims of sexual assault, including hospital accompaniment, guidance through the system and peer counseling
- Monetary assistance with Professional Counseling
The following information shows the client breakdown and provides additional information:
- Resident Clients Served – 121
- Shelter Days – 3115
- Outreach Clients Served – 281
- Number of Days Served – 752
- Average Stay in Shelter – 22.5 days
- Cost per Client per Day = $159.24
- Hotline Calls Answered – 1534
- Domestic Violence Crisis Calls – 795
- Sexual Assault Crisis Calls – 44
TOTAL NUMBER OF VICTIMS SERVED – 2,775
Those needing to contact the ARK can call 325-643-2699 or 888-313-2699.
