Every year in October, the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) releases a list of victims lost to domestic violence for the year before. The publication is called Honoring Texas Victims. In 2021, 204 Texas were killed by an intimate partner. This number includes 169 women and 35 men, 12 of whom were LGBTQ+. The perpetrators also shot and killed 22 family members, friends, or bystanders, including 11 children ages 18 and under. During the homicides, perpetrators injured an additional 21 victims including four law enforcement officers, six children, and 11 family members and friends. Victims ranged in age from 16 to 85. Two hundred, fifty-six adults and children lost a family member to domestic violence. The methods of homicide were shooting, stabbing, physical assault, strangulation, fire/ arson, and vehicular assault. These homicides happened in 63 counties across Texas, and 26 of these homicides occurred following the winder storm Uri. In 2021, TCFV documented the second highest number of intimate partner homicides in the last decade.
This information is staggering. Dove Project, Inc. here in San Saba works every day to end violence in all of its forms. If you have any suspicions or know someone who is going through any kind of abuse, please say something; there is help available. Your help is crucial to our cause, and your support is greatly appreciated.
Our favorite DVAM (Domestic Violence Awareness Month) event, the Purple Paw Parade, will be on October 25th at 6 p.m. where we will parade around the courthouse square. There will be awareness bandanas for the pets and treats for every participant!
Love should never hurt! Submitted by Briana Woolsey Outreach Coordinator Dove Project, Inc.