There are more than 50 safehouses for victims across North Texas, East Texas and the Greater Houston area, yet few provide transportation for victims to arrive at their door. Available domestic violence shelter may be several cities away, in another county, or even more than an hour’s drive away. Without a means to get there, victims can't get away from their abuser.
Families to Freedom solves the transportation problem that is often a barrier to freedom from abuse. We are a solution for victims who need to arrive to safety after domestic violence, and for new survivors in shelter who need to reunite with family far away for long term support and security.
Learn moreis to transport victims of abuse to safety.
is to create healthy communities by ending abuse across America.
is transporting to safety programs or to supportive friends and family far away.
It's so easy to say "Why not just leave?" Never mind the flip side of why doesn't the abuser just leave. Domestic violence at its core is about control. Here are a few ways that abusive partners assert control in relationships.
By controlling money in a relationship, abusive partners prevent freedom. They may take earned money and not allow access to it, or watch over every penny. Preventing employment is also control.
Abusive partners may lie, threaten, intimidate, disrespect, and manipulate their partner. Verbal attacks are an abuser's attempt to maintain control and may be an early sign of a rocky relationship.
Stalking isn't just for ex's. Some abusive partners monitor their partner's every move. From phone trackers to hidden cameras to constant texts and calls, this behavior is another form of control.
Forcing sex, sabotaging birth control and physical violence during intercourse are ways of exerting control over a partner. Sexual exploits may serve as blackmail against the victim for seeking help.
Hacking into social media accounts, devices and email is a form of surveillance- and control. It communicates to the victim that she/he can't have privacy or freedom. It also makes it hard to signal for help.
This is a non-verbal threat that if the abuser isn't satisfied, there will be more pain and punishment. Intensity and frequency tends to increase over time. Healthy relationships don't involve punishment.
Verbal and non-verbal threats of harm to others like family and friends keep victims afraid to seek help or leave. If recorded or witnessed, these threats may be useful in court against the abusive partner.
If the victim is dead, they can't tell others about what's been going on. Murder is the ultimate cover-up to a history of abusive and violent behavior. It's also the most damaging for everyone involved.