Domestic Violence Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Domestic violence is a reality for millions of Americans from every walk of life and socio-economic class.  Women, men, and children can all be victims of domestic violence and both men and women can be perpetrators. 
Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in which a person uses coercion, harassment, deception, humiliation, manipulation, and/or force in order to establish and maintain power and control over that person’s intimate partner or former intimate partner.
Perpetrators use economic/financial, emotional, psychological/mental, physical, sexual, spiritual, stalking, pet abuse, and/or verbal tactics.

​Legal Definition of Family Violence from the Texas Family Code states that it is an act by a member of a family or household that is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault, or that is a threat that reasonably places the member in fear of imminent physical harm.

Biblically, domestic violence is a sin that robs a victim of basic human dignity, disregards their identity as God’s child, and defines a person by the abusers’ need for power.  If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence you may call 911 for immediate help or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).  There is help available for abusers through the Battering Intervention and Prevention Program by calling 214-692-8295.