In the mid-1990s, the Coalition Against Domestic Abuse began meeting. The group consisted of local service providers and provided an opportunity for networking. These meetings created informal connections between agencies, and it became apparent that a formal entity would be beneficial.
In April of 1996, the Harris County District Attorney Johnny Holmes and Houston Police Chief Sam Nuchia called a meeting to bring the community leaders and stakeholders together to focus on this issue as well as to address increasing safety for survivors of domestic violence, holding batterers accountable, and preventing future violence in households in Harris County.
The Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council formed, and from 1996 to 2009, the organization continued to meet monthly to address victim safety, batterer accountability, and prevention with community stakeholders and partners.
Operating as a volunteer-led group, it was determined that full-time staff were needed to move forward. The Board approached the Houston Endowment for funding, and on November 1, 2010, two full-time staff were hired to steer the vision that started in 1996.
