Fact Sheet: Intimate Partner Violence In Texas
“Family violence means an act by a member of a family of household against another member of the family or household that is intended to result in a physical harm, bodily injury, or assault or that is a threat that reasonably places the member in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault, but does not include defensive measures to protect oneself; or is intended to inflict emotional harm, including an act of emotional abuse. A “victim” of family violence means an adult member of a family or household who is subjected to an act of family violence; or a member of the household of the adult described above, other than the member of the household who commits the act of family violence, including an act of emotional abuse (Chapter 51).”
Family Violence Program, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 2004 1. 83,349 victims and their children were served by the programs 2. 948,610 direct services were provided 3. 80% of victims were female 4. 75% of victims were Anglo or Hispanic 5. 71% of victims were under the age of 40 6. 53% of victims reported experiencing physical and/or sexual abuse 7. 40% of victims reported experiencing psychological or verbal abuse 8. 7,201 victims and their children were denied shelter due to lack of space 9. 179,061 hotline crisis calls were received at statewide programs from or about victims of family violence
Texas Department of Public Safety, 2003 1. 185,299 family violence incidents 2. 140 women killed by their intimate partner (see Table 1)
The Texas Council on Family Violence Statewide Poll on Domestic Violence (2002) 1. 74% of all Texans have either themselves, a family member and/or a friend have experienced some form of domestic violence. 2. 47% of all Texans report having personally experienced at least one form of domestic violence, either severe, verbal and/or forced isolation from friends and family at some point in their lifetime. 3. 31% of all Texans report that they have been severely abused at some point in their lifetime. Women report severe abuse at a higher rate than men. 4. 75% of all Texans report that they would be likely to call the police if they were to experience some form of domestic violence. Yet only 20% indicated that they actually did call the police when they or a family member experienced domestic violence. 5. 77% of all Hispanic Texans indicate that either themselves, a family member and/or a friend have experienced some form of domestic violence. 6. 64% of all Hispanic Texans indicate that they or a member of their family have experienced at least one form of domestic violence in their lifetime. 7. 2 out of every 5 Hispanic Texas females (39%) reported experience severe abuse. 8. 1 out of every 5 Hispanic Texas females (18%) reported being forced to have sex against their will. 9. 40% of Hispanic Texans who reported experiencing at least one form of domestic violence took no action.
Table 1. Number of Women Killed Annually by an Intimate Partner*
160 140 140 120 # Women Killed 100 80 60 40 20 0 1998 1999 2000 Year 2001 2002 2003 116 106 91 113 103
* Numbers Provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety