October is domestic violence awareness month, and the Dove Project would like to share the 2023 Texas Council on Family Violence Honoring Texas Victims Report.
• 205 Texans were killed by their intimate partners
• 64 counties experienced at least one domestic violence homicide
• 179 victims were female; 26 victims were male, and there were 16 additional deaths of family members, friends, or just people in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their ages ranged from 15 years of age to 88 years old.
While these numbers are staggering, they would normally seem distant ,but in 2023 our little County made the list. The most dangerous time in an abusive relationship is when a victim is trying to leave, and that is exactly the time that a member of our community was taken.
Currently in San Saba county for the year 2024, there have been 40 domestic violence calls and 17 reports of harassment.
So far in 2024 the Dove Project provided 82 hours of professional and crisis counseling.
We assisted 18 victims with legal aid and provided emergency shelter for 75 victims with an average stay of 60 days.
In total, the Dove Project has helped 89 victims that were seeking services.
We have had several opportunities to engage with the community this month, including an interview with the Radio station where we talked about tips to avoid becoming a victim. We met with the Thinking of You Group where we spoke about the services we provided in 2024, and we wrapped up our presentations with the Rotary Club where we honored Texas victims who lost their lives to domestic violence in 2023.
We are honored that the Pierian Study Group has chosen us for their constant support and consideration.
The San Saba County Commissioners Court awarded us with the unclaimed capital credits received from the electric cooperative. We are honored and appreciative to have been chosen. The funds will be used towards direct client services.
The Thinking of You Group provided a generous donation which will also be used for direct client services. The support that they provided allows us to continue doing the work we do.
The Rotary Club also provided a generous donation which will also be used for direct client services.
The federal government has once again cut funds slated for domestic violence programs, and in 2026, further budget cuts are anticipated. Because of these impending budget cuts we are so grateful to such groups as the Pierian Study Group, the Thinking of You Group, the Commissioners Court and the Rotary Club for helping us with funds to support in direct client services. 325-372-HELP (4357)