New Houston area Domestic Violence Enforcement Program to Launch in September 2008

Thanks to a 3 year $850,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Houston Police Department Family Violence Unit and Houston Area Women's Center will receive additional support in identifying and assisting victims of domestic violence. The Harris County District Attorney's Office Family Criminal Law Division will provide training to HPD officers, dispatchers, and others who work in the HPD Domestic Violence Unit. The goal is to assist officers identify people who are eligible for protective orders and to fund protective order clinics at several locations around Houston where domestic violence victims may start the process of obtaining a protective order.

A Harris County resident who has been a victim of domestic violence can obtain a free protective order through the DA's Family Criminal Law Division, but the DA will not get involved if there is a divorce suit pending.

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Spouses who violate protective orders may be denied bail

Effective January 1, 2008, Texas judges will have another tool to combat domestic violence. That tool is a powerful one – the denial of bail to an accused if he/she violates a protective order or is charged as a repeat domestic violence offender (misdemeanor and felony). 

Texas Representative Joe Straus, III of San Antonio authored House Bill 3692, which was approved as a state constitutional amendment by 84% of Texas voters in November 2007.  

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Domestic Violence and the Houston Area Women's Center

The Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) has provided services to women and children in crisis since 1977. Included among the many services the center provides are: 24/7 hotline for domestic violence and sexual assault; 125 bed shelter; counseling; educational outreach; advocacy; and youth services. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish.

If you need assistance, the hotline numbers are as follows:

Domestic Violence - 713-528-2121

Sexual Assault – 713-528-7273

For more information on the Houston Area Women’s Center, visit their web site at www.hawc.org. 
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Protections Against Dating Violence

Research conducted in 2000 by The Bureau of Justice Statistics indicates young adults between the ages of 16 to 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence. Prior to 2001, individuals who were victims of dating violence had little, if any remedy under the law. If the victim and perpetrator had not been married, lived together (informal marriage), or had a child together, the victim was not eligible to seek a protective order.

Realizing the lack of protection for this segment of the population, the Texas legislature responded by adding provisions to the Texas Family Code defining dating violence and providing remedies at law. Section 71.0021 defines dating violence. To qualify for protection under the statute, one must have been in a dating relationship with the alleged perpetrator. A dating relationship means a relationship between individuals who have or have had a continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. Factors that determine the existence of a dating relationship include: (1) length of the relationship; (2) nature of the relationship; and, (3) the frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

A mere casual acquaintanceship or ordinary fraternization in a business or social context does not qualify as a “dating relationship” under the family code. 

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Texas Self-Help Protective Orders

Unfortunately, family violence is a reality in our society. It afflicts men, women, and children regardless of age, race, and socio-economic status. Often victims are too afraid or ashamed to ask for help. I encourage persons who are victims of domestic violence to seek help as soon as possible. 

Often the abuser controls financial resources, so the victim feels helpless to seek assistance. In that vein, I direct persons to the Texas on-line protective order kit. 

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