BY RACHEL LELAND & EMILY LINCKE
$4M invested in abuse reduction efforts On Dec. 10, Harris County Commissioners Court approved a $4 million plan to aid domestic violence survivors. The overview Harris County has a 75% turn-away rate for peo- ple looking for help when trying to escape domestic violence, Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said during a Dec. 10 press conference. The county has also had the highest numbers for intimate partner violence in the state since 2022, according to a Dec. 10 news release from Briones’ office. The Houston Area Women’s Center will receive the initial $1 million investment, according to the Dec. 10 news release. The center will collaborate with the University of Houston Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality, and the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council for the project.
1st Harris County AAPI commission created A new Harris County commission—which was created during the Dec. 10 Commission- ers Court meeting—will target topics such as health and safety for Asian American and Pacific Islander residents throughout the county. The big picture The population of Asian Harris County residents grew 53% across the Houston metro area from 2010 to 2020, according to Dec. 10 Harris County Commissioners Court meeting documents. According to the meeting documents, the new commission will: • Advise Commissioners Court • Work with organizations and residents • Focus on advancing policies
75% of people seeking help when experiencing domestic violence are turned away in Harris County. A 10% decrease in the turn-away rate is Harris County’s goal with the new plan.
75%
10%
$1M
$4M
is being invested to aid domestic violence survivors in Harris County.
will be initially given to The Houston Area Women’s Center.
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
According to Dec. 10 meeting documents, the county’s domestic violence plan will: • Aim to decrease shelter turn-away rates by 10% • Add texting and social media options • Allow for additional training for providers • Encourage increased collaboration • Be contracted Dec. 10, 2024-Dec. 9, 2025 with three options for one-year renewals
Powered by FlippingBook