“Everyone knows someone” Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In 1981, the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline was established. Two years later, Congress passed Law 101-112, which officially designated October as domestic violence awareness month according to the Texas Council on Family Violence.

“An average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. One in three women and one in four men have been physically abused by an intimate partner, and one in five women and one in seven men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner,” according to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

On Sept. 19, during the regularly scheduled city council meeting, Mayor Jim Jarratt announced a proclamation declaring the month as domestic violence awareness month and presented it to some staff members of Mission Granbury.

“Domestic violence is a serious crime that touches all communities regardless of age, race, disability, gender indemnity, or socioeconomic status. Domestic Violence Awareness month provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn about preventing domestic violence and how to show support for the organization and individuals who provide critical advocacy services and assistance to victims,” Mayor Jarratt said during the meeting.

Mission Granbury is a non-profit organization that provides nine human services programs and resources for those in need or in crisis.

“The best thing we can do is to arm the community with knowledge. We want the community to know that these situations do happen here, and they are life or death situations,” Rossner, Director of Programs at Mission Granbury said.

In the fiscal year of 2023, Mission Granbury’s Family Violence Program provided services to 139 women, 11 men and 109 children.

The organization also has a women and children shelter in Fort Worth known as the Ada Carey Shelter for Women and Children, that provides 24/7 care to an average of 12 people per night. The shelter also provides individual and group therapy with licensed counselors.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, common signs of abusive behavior can include:

• Telling you that you never do anything right.
• Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them.
• Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with others, particularly friends, family members, or peers.
• Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people.
• Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school.
• Controlling finances in the household without discussion, such as taking your money or refusing to provide money for necessary expenses.
• Pressuring you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with.
• Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol.
• Intimidating you through threatening looks or actions.
• Insulting your parenting or threatening to harm or take away your children or pets.
• Intimidating you with weapons like guns, knives, bats, or mace.
• Destroying your belongings or your home.

The Texas Council on Family Violence recognizes a couple of specific days of October for those wanting to show support and awareness for domestic violence victims.

“The Day of Unity, now recognized on the first Monday in October, celebrates the origin of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This is a perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going in the movement to end intimate partner violence. Purple Thursday, or “Go Purple Day,” is a National Day of Action each October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Everyone is encouraged to wear all things purple as a symbol of peace, courage, survival, honor, and personal dedication to domestic violence awareness. On Oct. 19 put on your purple and stand up against family violence,” the TCFA website reads.

A 1K and 5K will be held with proceeds benefiting Mission Granbury. The runs will take place on Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. at Hewlett Park. To register visit www.runraceday.com/registraion.

Mission Granbury will also host an event “Light the night” that will celebrate survivors of domestic violence and honor and remember those who have lost their lives. The event will also feature a speaker who has survived domestic violence, and they will share their journey.

The event will take place on at the Granbury Courthouse lawn on the side of the gazebo on Oct. 21 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For more information on Mission Granbury and their services, visit their website at www.missiongranbury.org.