Family violence awareness month brings information

By Wyndi on Wednesday, October 14, 2026
  • Volunteers and employees with Cross Timbers Family Services and Dublin PD SRO Sgt. Jacob Ivie tie purple ribbons to trees at the Corner Lot representing the 172 people helped in Erath County over the past year as victims of family violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Wyndi Veigel-Gaudette | Citizen staff photo
    Volunteers and employees with Cross Timbers Family Services and Dublin PD SRO Sgt. Jacob Ivie tie purple ribbons to trees at the Corner Lot representing the 172 people helped in Erath County over the past year as victims of family violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Wyndi Veigel-Gaudette | Citizen staff photo
  • Local police officers, volunteers and employees with Cross Timbers Family Services tie purple ribbons to the trees at the Corner Lot in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Wyndi Veigel-Gaudette | Citizen staff photo
    Local police officers, volunteers and employees with Cross Timbers Family Services tie purple ribbons to the trees at the Corner Lot in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Wyndi Veigel-Gaudette | Citizen staff photo

    172. This is the number of victims of family violence Cross Timbers Family Services has helped over the past year.

    October marks Family Violence Awareness Month and Cross Timbers Family Services, law enforcement, volunteers, first responders and survivors have been busy sharing information along with tying purple ribbons throughout the county to bring awareness to the important cause.

    Ribbons and signs are displayed at the Donald R. Jones Justice Center, the Erath County Courthouse in downtown Stephenville, the Corner Lot in Dublin, the Erath County Sheriff’s Office, Stephenville Fire Department, Stephenville Police Department and Tarleton State University Police Department.

    Members of the Dublin Police Department aided CTFS employees and volunteers with tying ribbons on the Corner Lot in downtown Dublin.

    “Every person deserves to feel safe in their own home. For Dublin PD, domestic violence prevention is more than responding to incidents- it’s about breaking the cycle of abuse, protecting families, and creating lasting change for future generations,” Dublin Police Chief Cameron Ray said. “When we help make home a place of safety rather than fear, we build a stronger community where children can grow up knowing what healthy relationships look like and where the cycle of violence ends, not continues.”

    CTFS Executive Director Laura Gambino said that recent legislation by the state has now prioritized prevention education for crisis centers.

    “We have always had a prevention education program at Cross Timbers so it is heartening that the state is in alignment with that and sees how crucial it is for our youth,” she said.

    This Thursday is National Wear Purple Day in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness.

    Additional events including a chamber mixer at Cross Timbers Family Services at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, and Safe Trick or Treat from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26. All month at King Coffee there will be Coffee for a Cause. Do you or someone you know need assistance? Call Cross Timbers Family Services 24/7 hotline at 254-9655516 for emergency shelter, confidential services for any form of violent crime.