Domestic Violence is a serious issue that plagues our community as well as other communities across the globe, and the Hays Caldwell Women’s Center has made it their mission to protect families since 1978.
To bring awareness to domestic violence and to show support to the HCWC, the Hays County Commissioners Court recognized October 2023 as National Domestic Violence Month.
HCWC Chief Executive Officer Melissa Rodriguez said domestic violence is a serious issue that impacts far too many people in the community.
“Many of our young people are already experiencing dating violence in their relationships, and it is something that, unfortunately, if not addressed early, can continue as a pattern,” Rodriguez said. “This is something we’re deeply committed to.”
“The crime of domestic violence violates the basic human rights of safety and dignity, and 204 Texans were killed in an intimate partner homicide, including 169 women and 35 men [in 2021],” the proclamation stated. “The problem of domestic violence is not confined to any group of people but cuts across all economic, racial, gender and societal barriers.”
The proclamation stated that the Hays Caldwell Women’s Center provided services to over 978 victims of domestic violence and provided 8,093 days of shelter last year.
Rodriguez added that the HCWCs theme for the month is creating safe homes and safe communities.
“The way that people can do that … is just to listen to people. Listen to survivors. Believe them. Support them. ,” Rodriguez said. “We all know someone who has experienced a form of unsafe relationships. The earlier the intervention–the better, obviously.”
Rodriguez said that Marla’s Place, which was named after the previous Executive Director Marla Johnson and created in 2022, currently houses 16 families and 46 children.
Those facilities would not have happened if it were not for the support from the county,” Rodriguez said. “Thank you for always supporting our local community. It really makes a difference.”
Rodriguez said that there is an event going on called Dining for Change in which some local restaurants are donating some of their funds to the HCWC during the month of October to recognize National Domestic Violence Month.
She said some of those restaurants are Loli’s, Black’s BBQ and Hays Co. BBQ, to name a few, so a good way to support the center is to dine at those restaurants this month.
