Tag: trauma informed

Silencing The Shame and Living in Agape: Your Journey Towards Healing

Post author By Blog Author
Post date October 5, 2023

As we step into October, a month dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence, I want to address a crucial and often overlooked issue that affects countless lives. Why? Because I firmly believe that it’s time for us to collectively confront the pervasive yet often silenced impact of domestic violence.

Personal journeys through domestic violence can often feel profoundly isolating. I know this from my own experience. It was a lonely path until I discovered a community of support. Sadly, many of my loved ones, including church family members, didn’t know how to extend their support. That’s why I’m on a mission to give voice to this topic, recognizing that many women are affected by shame.

If you’ve made it to this paragraph, this topic must interest you. Let’s go deeper. Shame is a distorted identity we place on ourselves when we experience the perception of having done something dishonorable, immoral, or improper. Sometimes, we feel worthless, helpless, powerless, nameless, and hopeless. Seeing ourselves as “less” than is often connected to childhood trauma.

But here’s the profound truth: When we let go of our shame, we can feel more at peace, be happier with who we are, and experience true healing. When we embrace every facet of who we are, we tap into the transformative power of self-love.

Healing is closer than you think. You deserve to live in AGAPE. Healing can start today with:

Acceptance and Affirmations: Begin your healing journey by accepting that healing takes time and acknowledging your worth. Affirm yourself with positive self-talk, recognizing that you deserve love and support. Focus on the words “I am”! There is power in affirming your greatness.
Guidance from Professionals: Seek advice from trained therapists or counselors who can offer professional support, strategies, and confidential space to help you gain new tools to place in your tool kit for healing. The Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council can be a resource for you. This community helped me in my healing journey.
Advocacy for Yourself: Learn what your rights are. Trust me, when you go through the process of self-advocacy, you will, in turn, be a resource for someone else. Advocacy raises your overall level of self-awareness and consciousness.
Pursuing Knowledge: Expand your knowledge about domestic violence, its psychological effects, and the resources available for survivors. Learning more about domestic violence helped me understand what my shame was rooted in.
Establishing Healthy Boundaries: Recognize the importance of setting and enforcing healthy boundaries to protect your emotional, mental, and physical well-being. NO. is a complete sentence.

Remember, you are not alone, you can silence the shame. We are ready to support you on your path to living a life free from shame.

If you’d like to learn more information about the Silencing the Shame series, please email our Voices of Freedom Ambassador, Lereca Monik. You can also check our weekly newsletter for her series announcements or check her Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/lereca.monik

About the Author

Leraca Monik is one of HCDVCC’s Voice of Freedom Ambassadors.

Tags awareness month, domestic violence, domestic violence awareness month, dp, sexual assault, sexualviolence, survivor turned advocate, trauma informed, vof

DVAM

The Importance Of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date September 27, 2023

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is observed every October in the United States. It is a month dedicated to raising awareness about the issues of domestic violence, honoring those who have died, supporting survivors, and mobilizing communities to take action to prevent this devastating crime. The month-long observance plays a crucial role in shedding light on an issue that is often cloaked in silence, and in empowering victims to find safety and healing. While we recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we know every day is a battlefield for domestic violence victims, their families, their friends, and our community.

Statistics Highlight the Urgency of the Issue

Domestic violence is a pervasive and deadly issue. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. Moreover, on a typical day, domestic violence hotlines across the country receive over 20,000 calls, highlighting the urgency and prevalence of the issue.

The Impact of Domestic Violence

The impact of domestic violence extends beyond the physical harm inflicted on victims. It also encompasses emotional, psychological, and financial abuse, all of which can have long-term detrimental effects on victims and their children. The exposure to domestic violence can contribute to a range of emotional and psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to continue the cycle, either as perpetrators or victims in their adult lives.

Supporting Victims and Preventing Violence

Raising awareness about domestic violence is crucial in supporting survivors and preventing further violence. Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides a platform for survivors to share their stories, for communities to learn about the signs of abuse, and for organizations and individuals to share resources and information.

Providing Help Information

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, it’s vital to seek help immediately. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), providing confidential assistance and connecting callers with local resources.

How Others Can Help

Everyone has a role to play in ending domestic violence:

Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the signs of domestic violence and share this information with friends, family, and colleagues.
Listen and Believe: If someone discloses that they are experiencing abuse, listen to them, believe their story, and provide non-judgmental support.
Support Local Organizations: Donate your time or resources to local organizations working to support survivors and prevent domestic violence.
Advocate for Policies: Advocate for policies at local, state, and federal levels that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a critical time for communities to come together to support survivors, remember those who have lost their lives, and work collaboratively to end domestic violence. By raising awareness, providing resources, and fostering a culture of support and accountability, it’s possible to make significant strides towards ending domestic violence for good.

Tags awareness month, domestic violence, domestic violence awareness month, dp, sexual assault, sexualviolence, trauma informed

Title IX

The Imperative Role of The “Working With Children and Youth Academy” in Educating Today’s Educators

Post author By Thecia Jenkins
Post date September 25, 2023

Domestic violence is a widespread issue affecting millions of households across the world, casting a dark shadow on children’s lives. The ripple effects reach educational institutions, leaving teachers and educators to handle more than just academics. Addressing this critical concern, Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council has launched the “Working With Children and Youth Academy” to equip educators with the skills and knowledge they need to help their students navigate these difficult experiences.

The Growing Crisis

Approximately ten million children each year witness domestic violence in their homes. As staggering as these numbers are, they only scratch the surface. Domestic violence does not just disrupt the lives of adults; it inflicts long-term emotional and psychological scars on children. In many cases, the children affected are attending school, often showing signs of secondary trauma that educators may not immediately recognize or understand.

Educating the Educators

The academy is designed specifically for educators teaching from elementary through high school levels. As the front-line guardians of children’s emotional and intellectual growth, teachers need to be equipped to handle not just academics but also the social and emotional facets of their students’ lives. This is why the academy provides a holistic approach to teacher training.

Core Topics Covered
The curriculum of the academy covers a variety of essential topics:
• Dynamics of Domestic Violence: Understanding the multifaceted aspects of domestic violence is crucial for early intervention and effective response.
• Introduction to Trauma: This topic provides foundational knowledge about trauma, helping educators identify symptoms and adapt their teaching strategies.
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE): Focusing on the long-term impacts of domestic violence on children, the course unpacks how ACE can affect academic performance and behavior.
• Creating a Trauma-Informed Classroom: Educators are given tools to create an environment that is sensitive to the needs of children experiencing trauma, thereby facilitating better learning outcomes.

A Collaborative Effort
The Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council collaborates with subject matter experts in domestic violence, thereby ensuring that the academy’s courses are up-to-date, factual, and deeply insightful.

Education has always been considered a sanctuary for children, a place where they can grow, learn, and become the best versions of themselves. However, for children who are victims of domestic violence, school can also be a battlefield of emotions and hidden scars. The “Working With Children and Youth Academy” offers a glimmer of hope, arming educators with the resources they need to turn the classroom into a haven where every child has an opportunity to thrive.

Tags counselors, domestic violence, educators, hcdvcc academy, sexual assault, sexualviolence, teachable, title ix, titleix, trauma informed, trauma informed classrooms

Title IX

Understanding and Combating the Increased Risk of Sexual Assault on College Campuses

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date September 12, 2023

As thousands of excited students step onto college campuses for the first time each fall, they are met with a myriad of experiences—new friendships, challenging academics, and a taste of independence. However, they also face an alarming and heightened risk for sexual assault during a period known as the “Red Zone.” This term refers to the first few weeks of the academic year when sexual assault incidents are statistically higher. In this blog post, we’ll delve into why the Red Zone exists, what factors contribute to it, and what can be done to protect students.

What is the “Red Zone”?
The “Red Zone” is generally considered to be the period from the beginning of the academic year through homecoming. It’s a timeframe during which new students, particularly freshmen, are more susceptible to sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence. The concept has gained traction over the years, leading to increased awareness and preventative measures on campuses across the country.

Contributing Factors

Lack of Familiarity
For many students, especially freshmen, the college environment is entirely new. The unfamiliarity with campus geography, social norms, and resources can make new students more vulnerable.
New Social Dynamics
College introduces a host of new social experiences and pressures. From parties to dorm life, these new dynamics can sometimes create situations where the lines of consent are not clearly understood.
Alcohol and Party Culture
The beginning of the academic year is often marked by a surge in social activities and parties. Unfortunately, these gatherings can sometimes involve excessive alcohol consumption, which contributes to poor decision-making and can lead to situations where sexual assault occurs.
Predatory Behavior
There are individuals who exploit the vulnerability of new students, capitalizing on their lack of experience and awareness. These predators may be fellow students, older students, or even non-students who find their way onto campus.

Prevention and Awareness

Educational Programs
Many schools now offer orientation sessions that include discussions on consent, bystander intervention, and the risks associated with the Red Zone. These programs aim to equip students with the information and tools they need to protect themselves and others.
Increased Security Measures
During the Red Zone, some campuses bolster security efforts, including increased patrols and enhanced surveillance. These measures aim to deter potential predators and offer better protection for students.
Resources and Support
Educational institutions often provide resources such as hotlines, counseling services, and online information to help students navigate the risks associated with the Red Zone and to offer support to survivors of sexual assault.

While the Red Zone is a period of heightened risk, it’s crucial to remember that sexual assault can happen at any time during the academic year. Therefore, awareness and preventative measures should be ongoing efforts. It’s a collective responsibility—administrators, faculty, students, and the community at large must work together to create a safer campus for everyone.

By understanding the factors that contribute to the Red Zone, we can better arm ourselves and others with the knowledge and resources needed to combat this troubling issue. Let’s take the steps needed to transform the Red Zone from a period of risk to one of awareness, education, and empowerment.

Tags college campuses, domestic violence, red zone, sexual assault, sexualviolence, title ix, titleix, trauma informed

Community Share domesticviolenceshelters DVAM Op-eds Sexual Assault

Houston Area Domestic Violence Providers Study – The Article

Post author By Blog Author
Post date May 12, 2023

To download a copy of this study, please click the button below.

About the Author

Professor of English and Director of Women’s Gender & Sexuality Studies

Elizabeth Gregory, Taylor Professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies and Professor of English, directs the WGSS Program and the UH Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality. She writes on Marianne Moore’s poetry and women’s work and fertility. Read more about her here.

Tags daya, domestic violence, dr. elizabeth gregory, effects that domestic violence has on survivors’, elizabeth gregory phd, emilee whitehurst, harris county texas, hawc, rachna khara, sexualviolence, study, trauma informed

Community Share domesticviolenceshelters DVAM Op-eds Sexual Assault

Houston Area Domestic Violence Providers Study

Post author By Blog Author
Post date May 12, 2023

UH Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality
Report to the Community

February 2023

Houston Area Domestic Violence Providers Study
+ Initial Local DV Data Aggregation

Study recommends major investment in DV infrastructure as IPV homicides double in 3 years

This report shares the results of UH-IRWGS’s study of regional Domestic Violence [DV] Service Providers, based on interviews and group discussions with leaders of 12 local DV shelters and nonresidential agencies. It recommends significant community investment in expanded DV infrastructure coordination and staffing, to move from the current model of limited response to overwhelming demand to a model that allows the community to not only address DV cases more effectively but to analyze and address causes as well.

In addition, the report contains an initial aggregation of regional DV data – including data from some shelters, law enforcement, and nonresidential service providers (see Supplement). Future reports will provide more detail and include data from more sources.<p/p>

Executive Summary

Houston has a major problem with Domestic Violence assaults and homicides: Calls for Shelter and Calls for Service from the police are high, and IPV homicides doubled between 2019 and 2022, rising from 32 to 64 across the two largest police departments in Harris County (HPD and HCSO).

Violence is rampant in this region, across ranks. As was indicated by the recent IPV assault by the (now former) UT basketball coach and January DV cases involving a house set fire with family members within and the decapitation of a young immigrant bride.
We need a stronger DV infrastructure to turn the tide.
Based on qualitative interviews and group discussions with local DV service providers as well as local data analysis, this report recommends a significant strategic investment in strengthening the currently under-resourced DV service-provider collaborative. A centralized coordination infrastructure, with administrative staff based both centrally and within individual agencies, would enable DV providers across the region (shelters and nonresidential providers in collaboration with law enforcement, courts, and other social services agencies encountering DV) to operate and strategize collaboratively, improve and expand services, and address causes.
While funds for direct services are essential, expanded investment in DV infrastructure would be a game changer.
Currently, each provider operates on its own, creating inefficiencies at all levels: operational redundancies, inconsistent standards, a lack of unified voice on DV, and, because each is overtaxed with providing service to those at their door, an inability to see much beyond the immediate need
The collaborative needs a core administrative team, including an Operations Manager, a Communications Coordinator, a Researcher/Evaluator and a Grant Writer, based in the Harris County DV Coordinating Council. In addition, expanded staffing is needed within provider organizations to carry out collaborative initiatives. An investment for this purpose of $1,000,000 / year for five years from local funders would be transformative
A smaller initial infrastructure investment would get change under way, but working by half measures as has long been the case in this region will not enable the real change needed. Over time, grant funding will increase, to cover costs.
This significant strategic investment will allow providers to
- analyze and reframe their services & policies
- deliver services more effectively
- work with agencies across the community to address the causes of violence in our region
- raise more funds and expand services
- advocate for regional policy change around the issues that give rise to DV

Newly Aggregated DV Data

You can’t fix a problem, if you don’t know what it is. Due to costs and complexity, the limited DV data collected to date has not previously been combined to provide a full regional picture. This groundbreaking report begins to aggregate local DV data. Future reports will provide more detail and include data from more shelters, agencies & regional police departments, with a goal to inform response.
The Covid emergency raised the level of domestic violence in the Houston area. And per HPD and HCSO data, identified Intimate Partner Violence [IPV] homicides continued to rise after the lockdown ended—doubling in their combined jurisdictions between 2019 and 2022, rising from 32/year to 64/year over that period. That’s a 73% rise in HPD – and 160% in HCSO (a combined 100% rise). [See Figure S-3.]
The rise overlaps with the move to permit-less carry which went into effect in Texas in September 2021. Between 2020 and 2022 the number of HPD IPV homicides committed with a gun increased by 61%, while the overall number of IPV homicides increased by 52%. While other factors may play in, the easy availability of guns puts many women at risk for homicide, as well as for terroristic threats of homicide within IPV situations.
While overall homicides and non-IPV FV homicides fell in 2022 in HPD data, IPV homicides continued to rise.
Calls for shelter have also risen steadily since the lockdown, to rates above what they were prior to March 2020, and callers are regularly turned away for lack of space.
Overall DV calls for service have fallen since 2020 in both HPD and HCSO, but numbers remain high: HPD received between 25,000 to 27,000 calls for service around DV for 2019-2021. This data is not sortable by IPV, so we don’t know if there is an effect similar to that in the homicide data differentiating IPV and non-IPV outcomes. We have not received complete 2022 data, but it looks on track to roughly 24,000 in 2022.
Many thousands more suffer without reaching out, not believing things would improve if they did or not knowing that help is available.
Harris County has 330 shelter beds, while New York City, with twice the population, has more than ten times as many shelter beds, at 3500.
Though affordable housing is the best solution for many, it is not widely available; shelters, nonresidential providers and mobile advocates provide alternatives for those in immediate need.
A targeted investment in DV administrative infrastructure can turn the tide on DV assaults and homicides.
Improved victim service delivery along with a community violence prevention focus will benefit all Houstonians.
Though this change will require significant start-up costs, the infrastructure thus created will increase ability to bring in more federal and other external funds down the line.

Additional Findings

The high volume of people experiencing IPV in this region links directly to the state’s low level of family support infrastructure, the lack of affordable housing and the low wages earned by Texas women.
People dependent on others, especially those with children they don’t want to unhouse, become more vulnerable to violence at the hands of those they depend upon.
This is true at any income level but is particularly true for those at low incomes. Since higher-income women may be able to leave when things get grim and still keep their children and themselves housed, they are less likely to utilize shelters than low-income women. Higher-income women more often employ the safety planning resources providers offer.
Though Houston’s DV service providers were already strapped before the pandemic, since its onset and in the face of multiplying demand, DV shelters and other providers have stepped up services, helped by Covid Emergency federal funds. Before these funds are gone, the community needs to reorganize its response to DV for the long haul.
While DV providers have offered survivors a range of services for some time, the pandemic spurred innovations that have improved service delivery overall: including Bed Availability App, DV High Risk Teams / DART, Mobile Advocacy, Flexible Funding, Text Hotlines, Hotel Stays, Longer Stays, etc.
Many in need do not know of, or feel distrustful of, DV service providers, so clearer communications and continued trust building are needed.
Transportation is a major issue for those seeking shelter across Harris County.
The HCDVCC coordinated housing queue is a great improvement on the past, but it met less than one third of eligible demand in 2022.
Staff burnout has been a huge issue for shelters during Covid.
Black women in economic precarity are overrepresented in shelter in Harris County.
Undocumented Hispanic women suffering DV seem underrepresented in shelters, likely due to threats of deportation from their abusers or lack of information on their rights.
Asian and Muslim women generally reach out to culturally specific DV agencies, when they reach out.
The leadership of DV agencies is now more inclusive of women of color than it has been historically, enabling wider range of insight and overcoming of survivors’ distrust.
All DV leaders need sustained support and engagement from the community as they struggle to address the ongoing DV crisis here.

About the Author

Tags daya, domestic violence, dr. elizabeth gregory, effects that domestic violence has on survivors’, elizabeth gregory phd, emilee whitehurst, harris county texas, hawc, rachna khara, sexualviolence, study, trauma informed

Community Share Mental Health Awareness Month Op-eds Sexual Assault

Effects that Domestic Violence has on Survivors’ Mental Health

Post author By Blog Author
Post date May 8, 2023

As a Lead Trauma Support Partner (TSP) and License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I wanted to touch on the effects that domestic violence has on survivors’ mental health, since its Mental Health Awareness Month. We know from research that domestic violence (whether you’ve endured it personally or witnessed it as a child) increases one’s risk of experiencing depression, anxiety, substance use, suicidal behaviors and PTSD. But what do these “labels” actually look like in the day to day? People think depression is “feeling down or hopeless” and while that’s true for a lot of people, depression can also look like irritability, increased or decreased appetite, need for sleep, and /or interest in sex. It can also look like someone no longer doing the things that they used to enjoy like connecting with friends or family, participating in a hobby or pleasurable activities. Similarly, people think anxiety is “intense worrying’ but anxiety can also look like increased irritability, difficulty concentrating or restlessness (feeling like you always have to be doing something) or feeling like something bad is going to happen. Maybe you’re short tempered with your kids or peers. Maybe you’re on edge all the time. These are all symptoms of anxiety. Lastly, people think PTSD is “flashbacks and hypervigilance” and again that is true, but PTSD can also look like difficulty concentrating, memory problems or forgetfulness, impaired functioning at home, school or work, feeling numb, wanting to be alone, engaging in risky behaviors and difficulty falling asleep. Its important to recognize these “other” symptoms so that you can get help (if you’re the trauma survivor) or you can adjust your interventions (if you’re the advocate). If you’re the trauma survivor and you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to someone – a trusted medical or mental health professional, a clergy member, a family elder, a friend or call 988 – the national crisis line if you’re in a mental health crisis. If you’re an advocate, ask the right questions, connect your client to services, be patient and understanding and most importantly, educate your clients about these other less common symptoms because it just might be what they needed to hear to seek out support. With so many service options (in-person, via tele-health and even text messaging), it’s never been more accessible to get the help you need. Join me this month as we work towards bringing awareness to mental health.

About the Author

Desiré Martinez, LCSW-S is a Lead Trauma Support Partner for HCDVCC.

Tags desire martinez, domestic violence, effects that domestic violence has on survivors’ mental health, harris county texas, healthy relationships, mental health, mental health awareness month, mental health stigma, mham, sexualviolence, trauma informed, trauma support partner, tsp

Community Share Op-eds Sexual Assault

Healthy Relationships

Post author By Blog Author
Post date May 1, 2023

1 in 3 teens will experience some form of physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse by a dating partner and approximately 8.5 million women experienced sexual assault before the age of 18. Teen dating violence, a form of intimate partner violence, is the most prevalent form of youth violence – affecting youth regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.

Just a couple months ago I was invited out to Austin, Texas to conduct a training for a group of young college-aged women. I began my presentation with the same eye-opening activity I always use – “Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Now, raise your hand if you either have experienced or know someone who has experienced some form of intimate partner violence. Now open your eyes and look around.” There was not a single hand in the room that was not raised…

After concluding my presentation with the young women, a few came up to me to express how they wished they had the opportunity to learn about healthy relationships before they had started dating. So, here is where you come in – preventing teen dating violence requires a broad coalition of parents, schools, and community organizations to join forces to start having conversations about healthy relationships at an early age.

Here are a few steps you can take to help prevent teen dating violence:

Become a trusted source for information about relationships – talk about relationships, including difficult topics like red flags, sex, and dating violence.
Teach your children about healthy relationships – how to form them and how to recognize them. Healthy relationships are built on trust, honesty, respect, equality, and compromise. Children need to hear about what constitutes a healthy relationship and how safe relationships are established.
Encourage children to be assertive – to speak up for themselves and voice their opinions or needs. Teach and model ways to say “NO!”
Help children recognize warning signs of an unhealthy relationship – include jealousy, controlling behavior, and other red flags.
Encourage children to be active bystanders – to take action/give support when a friend is in an unhealthy relationship.

Effective prevention and action has been seen to significantly decrease cases of intimate partner violence in teens. If you are interested in learning more about healthy relationships or wanting to set up a healthy relationships training, please email tishya@dayahouston.org.

Let’s do our part to decrease the number of hands that go up when asked “raise your hand if you either have experienced or know someone who has experienced some form of intimate partner violence.”

About the Author

Tishya Bedi is the Director of Outreach and Education at Daya Houston.

Tags daya, dayahouston, domestic violence, harris county texas, healthy relationships, mental health, mental health awareness month, mental health stigma, mham, sexualviolence, tishya bedi, trauma informed

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