While driving throughout downtown Dublin, citizens may spot a bunch of purple ribbons tied on bushes at the Corner Lot.
This is to symbolize the 98 victims of domestic violence that Cross Timbers Family Services and area law enforcement aided over the past year in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.
Each October domestic violence organizations coordinate and participate in local, state, and national events promoting advocacy and raising awareness. Members of the Dublin Police Department aided CTFS employees in tying the ribbons on Monday, Oct. 2.
“Domestic violence affects people in all walks of life, regardless of education level, socioeconomic status or anything else,” said Dublin Police Chief Cameron Ray. “ As a law enforcement agency our number one mission is the safety and security of our community. With that in mind the officers of the Dublin Police Department will relentlessly investigate and prosecute all reports of domestic violence. We work hand in hand with Cross Timbers Family Service to ensure that not only the perpetrators are held accountable but ensure that the victims are properly taken care of.”
According to the Texas Advocacy Project, one out of three Texans will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence, almost triple the national average. Protective orders are as much as 80% effective in reducing future violence.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the Day of Unity conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in October 1981.
In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed, and the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline was established. In 1989, Congress passed Public Law 101112 designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has passed every year since.
Along with calls regarding domestic violence, CTFS has had a busy year in Erath County.
CTFS served 188 new clients with 172 of them being victims of violent crimes. Twenty one were children under the age of 17 and 22 were college students.
Of the 172 survivors of violent crime, victimizations were reported as follows: 98 were victims of family violence, 16 adult survivors of sexual assault, 10 survivors of assault, 16 adults molested as a child, 13 child survivors of physical abuse or neglect, seven child survivors of sexual assault, 13 stalking/ harassment, four human trafficking victims, two victims of bullying, two elder abuse victims, one victim of identity theft/ fraud/financial crimes, one kidnapping victim, one victim of burglary, one victim related to homicide, two victims of DUI/DWI incidents and 31 were secondary victims.
Clients seen by area include 144 for Stephenville, 14 for Dublin and 30 that live elsewhere in CTFS service area. The agency had over 1,188 hotline and general information calls and the staff provided over 1,212 hours of direct service to an average of 52 client per month through either crisis intervention or professional counseling.
Volunteers provide the agency with 8,317 hours of hotline and victim assistance service support. Anyone who needs immediate assistance can call the 24-hour crisis hotline at 866-934-4357. The national Domestic Violence Hotline which is 24/7 with multiple languages including Spanish is 1-800-799-7233.