More than 100 gathered around the Erath County Courthouse for Thursday’s Stop the Silence rally, organized by Cross Timbers Family Services.
“It went exactly like we hoped,” said CTFS Executive Director Laura Gambino. “I’m very excited about the participation. I hope it served the purpose of spreading awareness [of the effects of abuse, sexual assault and violent crime].”
The event was held in conjunction with National Crime Victims Rights week (April 24-30, 2022), which was established in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan to bring attention and support to victims of crime.
It also coincides with April as National Child Abuse Month and National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Organizers and participants found several ways to communicate how violence leave lasting negative effects on the lives of victims including signs carried in a march around the courthouse and shirts designed by sexual assault victims who benefitted from the help of CTFS so that they might share their stories and feelings. (These shirts hung on the railing outside the courthouse near those who spoke before the crowd joined in the march.)
There were also several informational booths from organizations who offer assistance to those in need. Those participating included B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse) and the Tarleton Corps of Cadets, as well as booths from the Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center, Tarleton State University, Texas Health Resources, CASA for the Cross Timbers area, STAR Council on Substance abuse, Pecan Valley Center for Behavioral and Developmental Healthcare and more.
BACA read sobering statistics about local victims helped by CTFS and the Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center, showing that acts like domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse happen in the local area.
Below are some of the local statistics.
In 2021, CTFS served 232 unduplicated clients (204 female and 28 male). Of those, 169 were from Stephenville, 24 were from Dublin and 39 were from other parts of the area.
Out of the 232 new clients served, 172 were victims of violent crime.
Fifty-two were children between the ages of 0-17. 17 were college students.
Of the 172 survivors of violent crime, victimizations were reported as follows: 64 were victims of family violence, 3 survivors of assault, 24 were adult survivors of sexual assault, 6 adults molested as a child, 9 child survivors of physical abuse, 20 were child survivors of sexual assault, 11 stalking/harassment, 3 child pornography victims, 4 human trafficking victims, and 47 were secondary victims.
CTFS assisted in sheltering 12 Women and Children.
The agency had over 916 hotline and general information calls.
The staff provided over 1083.5 hours of direct service to an average of 52 clients per month through either crisis intervention, or professional counseling.
Volunteers provided the agency with 8,645.5 hours of hotline and victim assistance service support.
Agency staff provided 53 Community Education Programs to school age children, community organizations, Tarleton State University students, local businesses, etc. Through those 53 speaking engagements, approximately 2364 people were educated regarding agency services, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and other violent crime issues.
There were 167 forensic interviews conducted for Erath County children in 2021 by Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center.
According to the Texas Department of Family Protective Services, in 2021, there were 321 unconfirmed reports of child abuse and 129 confirmed in Erath County.
The mission of Cross Timbers Family Services is to enhance safety and justice by preventing domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes in our community through empowerment, advocacy, awareness and action for social change.
For more information, visit crosstimbershelps.org or call (254) 965-5516.