Communities Served

Domestic and sexual violence affect people from all walks of life, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, ability, socio-economic status or education. The Houston Area Women's Center provides services to all survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and our services continue to be provided confidentially and free of charge.

We recognize that social, cultural and geographical obstacles exist that prevent some communities from accessing our services. We are committed to breaking down those barriers so help is readily and easily available to all survivors. To that end, we engage in targeted efforts to serve the following communities:

Services for the Hispanic Community

We have been providing services to the Hispanic Community, specifically, in the Houston area, since before 1991. All of our services are available in Spanish and by a culturally appropriate advocate:

• Hotline Services - lines are answered 24-Hours a day, and the advocate either speaks Spanish or can transfer immediately to someone who does speak Spanish
• Individual and Group Counseling is offered by Spanish speaking and culturally appropriate counselors
• Spanish language educational and counseling materials
• Legal Information - we provide resources and assist with required letter for VAWA applications.
• Shelter Services – we provide shelter resources, and do not turn anyone away because of their status or because they speak Spanish. Our shelter staff includes Spanish speaking and culturally appropriate counselors.
• Educational Presentations provided in Spanish in predominantly Hispanic populated areas.
• Training for professionals, social service providers and leaders. 
  
   

Services for African American Community

We have been providing services to the African American Community, specifically, in the Houston area since before 1998. Our services are provided by staff person who understand the additional issues African American survivors face concerning racism, a lack of trust in service providers, and cultural issues regarding “telling your business.”

• Hotline Services with a person answering the line 24/7 who is culturally appropriate and can access information and resources specific to the needs of African American populations. 
• Individual and Group counseling is offered in the community by culturally appropriate counselors.
• Legal Information
• Educational and counseling materials that reflect African American culture  
• Shelter Services - Our shelter staff is comprised of individuals representing the diversity of our city
• Educational Presentations provided in African American neighborhoods
• Training for professionals, faith-base community and community leaders

Youth

In recent years, the number of reports of teen dating violence has grown at an alarming rate. Reports of bullying and online harassment via social media have also increased at a rapid rate. Now, more than ever, teens are finding themselves in difficult situations, with many of them feeling alone and without anyone to talk to or understand them. 

We have been providing community education to youth populations on Teen Dating Violence over the last 10 years, starting in 1994. Our program was developed because of the alarming statistics regarding teen dating violence:

Ages 12-34 are the highest risk years. Risk peaks in the late teens: girls 16 to 19 are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault. Source: [2000 NCVS.]

Approximately one in five female high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner (2001). Source:  Family Violence

Services for Youth Populations:

• Educational Presentations to service providers, schools, caregivers and youth
• The Teen Effect - an educational primary prevention endeavor that engages youth via social networking on Facebook.

Individuals with Disability

Our efforts to reach out to people with disabilities began in 1995 with the hiring of a counselor who worked specifically with the disability community to ensure those survivors had access to services.

• 24-Hour Hotline Services are fully accessible for hearing impaired using TDD technology 
• Individual and Group Counseling is offered in the community by a counselor trained in disability issues
• Legal Information and Referrals 
• Residential Services are ADA Accessible
• Educational presentations and training for professionals, faith-based community and community leaders

The Houston Area Women’s Center works diligently to provide the most comprehensive, client determined services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Although it is difficult to meet all the needs of the very diverse population in the Houston Area, it is our mission to provide services in a respectful and meaningful manner that creates change for our clients.