Domestic Violence Month Rodney Ellis Message thanks efamily member Janice Weaver for sharing!

Dear Friends, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for communities to come together to support survivors, honor those we’ve lost, and recommit to the fight to end domestic violence. But to truly address this issue, we must recognize those most impacted and bring them to the center of our efforts. Across the country, one in three women will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes, and in Texas, those numbers mirror the national trend. Yet, some communities bear a disproportionate burden. More than four in ten Black women experience physical violence from an intimate partner. This statistic is not just a number. It reflects the compounded vulnerabilities faced by women of color, particularly Black women. Factors such as systemic racism, economic instability from low-paying jobs, and housing instability all diminish their opportunities to leave their perpetrators. In Texas, where access to abortion is heavily restricted, one in six women are first abused during pregnancy. This stark reality reminds us that domestic violence does not happen in isolation. It is shaped by larger social forces, including systemic inequities in race, economic status, and access to health care. More importantly, it can impact anyone at any stage of their life. At a time when domestic violence has surged to a 30-year high in recent years, state policies have only deepened the crisis. Texas has passed laws that ban abortion and loosened gun restrictions, sending a message that undermines women’s autonomy and safety. The Abortion Bounty Law, in particular, allows private citizens to sue anyone who helps facilitate an abortion after six weeks, giving abusers more power to isolate their victims. Between 2018 and 2022, family violence homicides in Texas increased by nearly 33%, with nearly half involving weapons, Texas has made it easier for perpetrators to access deadly weapons. For many survivors, domestic violence is intertwined with other forms of control, including reproductive coercion, where abusive partners manipulate contraceptive use, force pregnancy, or deny access to abortion. This creates additional barriers to safety and autonomy. As abortion rights and reproductive freedom are under attack, especially here in Texas, survivors—particularly those from marginalized communities—are left even more vulnerable. The freedom to make decisions about one’s own body is essential to escaping cycles of abuse. While October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Harris County works year-round to support survivors, their families, and our communities. Commissioners Court passed a resolution affirming that abortion is essential health care and a fundamental right and created a fund to expand access to contraception, sexual education, family planning, and reproductive health care in underserved communities. Recognizing the need for immediate and flexible resources, Harris County launched the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund. This fund, administered by the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC), has partnered with 19 community organizations to provide lifesaving assistance to survivors and their families across the region. We’re also working to prevent gun violence and get guns off the street. Safety flourishes when communities thrive. It’s going to take all of us rolling up our sleeves and getting to work to provide necessary support for domestic violence survivors while also reducing the chances they will experience it in the first place. It is critical that we approach domestic violence with an understanding of its many dimensions. Gender-based violence, reproductive control, and racial disparities are interconnected—and we cannot fully address one without addressing the others. As a community, we must work together to create pathways to safety for all survivors while ensuring we meet the unique needs of those disproportionately affected. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, a personal safety plan may be the first step toward ending an abusive relationship. For more information, call HAWC’s 24-hour Hotline at 713-528-2121, live chat through hawc.org, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. Sincerely, Rodney Ellis