LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline — an average of twenty four people per minute are victims of relationship violence, and abuse affects more than twelve million people each year.
“Men or women, nobody wants to admit they’re in an abusive relationship,” Brian Livingston, Executive Director of HiWay 80 Rescue Mission said.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but East Texas centers say their resources are available year ‘round.
“We’re here,” Livingston said. “If you need help, we’re here, whether it’s November, January or whatever month it is.”
HiWay 80 Rescue Mission’s Women and Families Shelter houses 80 beds for anyone needing a place to start over.
Tonia Mahan, HiWay 80 Rescue Mission’s lead case manager, said women at the shelter learn skills like cooking, budgeting, interview skills so they can re-enter the workforce with a sense of leadership and confidence.
The Women’s Center of East Texas offers a fully stocked pantry for all clients to shop for free as well as employment resources, access to safe housing, counseling and legal advocacy.
Women’s Center CEO Hollie Bruce said every domestic abuse survivor’s story is different, but support is a universal need.
“If I have a friend who’s experiencing domestic violence,” Hollie says, “I want to make sure I’m withholding judgement and avoiding sentences like, ‘you need to do this…’ but providing support. Making sure they know they don’t deserve to live in an abusive situation. No one deserves to be abused.”
Hollie also said it takes an average of seven attempts before a survivor typically leaves an abuser for good.
“And if you’ve grown up in an abusive household, it is normalized,” Bruce said. “And we have to have conversations as a community. It’s not just a private issue, it’s a community-wide issue.”
The Women’s Center offers a tailored approach to each survivor who comes to them.
Both facilities offer 24/7, year ‘round support for anyone seeking help. To learn more about domestic violence resources,click here o rclick here for more information.
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