Shelter & Counseling Services for
Victims/Survivors
Legal Assistance (Protective Orders, Divorce, Custody &
Immigration)
Go to Domestic Violence Services
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA)
713/224-9911
AVDA is a local non-profit organization that works to end violence in families. AVDA is a nonresidential domestic violence center that serves victims (legal advocacy & legal representation) and perpetrators (battering intervention) of domestic violence while educating the community about domestic violence issues. www.avda-tx.org
Asians Against Domestic Abuse
713/339-8300
AADA is a non-profit organization helping victims of Domestic Abuse in the Asian American communities. It provides confidential support in different Asian languages; safety planning; culturally sensitive legal referrals; translation; court accompaniment; and assistance with the social service system. www.aadainc.org
Bay Area Turning Point (Webster)
281/286-2525
Bay Area Turning Point’s services include emergency/transitional shelter, childcare, non-residential support groups, 24-hour hotline, aftercare, therapy, 24-hour accompaniments to hospitals or police departments, legal advocacy, employment counseling and assistance, and community education. www.bayareaturningpoint.org
Bridge over Troubled Waters (Pasadena)
713/473-2801
The Bridge Over Troubled Waters serves domestic and sexual violence victims/survivors. Services are offered 24 hours a day and include a 24 hour hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing, victim advocacy, court/hospital accompaniment, support groups, and community education. www.thebridgeovertroubledwaters.org
Daya (Houston)
713/914-1333
Daya aims to
promote healthy and harmonious family relationships in the South-Asian
community by increasing awareness and providing peer support, information and
referrals to women and children who are in crisis yet attempting to effect
positive changes in their lives. Daya has a
24-hour voice mail system and education and prevention programs. www.dayahouston.org
Houston Area Women’s Center (Houston)
713/528-2121
The Houston
Area Women's Center (HAWC) provides services to survivors of domestic and
sexual violence. Services include hotline, shelter, counseling and legal
advocacy. HAWC provides education and professional training to the community. www.hawc.org
Family Time (Humble)
281/446-2615
Family Time has a 24-hour crisis hotline. They offer free counseling for victims of domestic violence, provide shelter for battered women, and hold support groups. Family Time also has an information referral line, case managers, and a legal advocate.
Focusing Families (Hempstead) 979/826-3290 or 979/826-000
Focusing Families is a residential/non-residential service provider for victims of Family Violence. It is located in Hempstead and services Harris, Austin, Grimes and Washington Counties.
Ft Bend County Women’s Center (Richmond)
281/342-4357
Fort Bend County Women’s Center offers emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. The Center also offers crisis intervention, counseling, and support services. They provide education and outreach.
Katy Christian Ministries Domestic Abuse Center (Katy)
281/391-4504
The Domestic Abuse Center is a non-residential service provider for victims of domestic and sexual assault. It helps clients obtain protective orders, establish safety plans, and provides referrals for emergency shelter placements. Advocates help qualified victims file for Crime Victim's Compensation.
La Rosa (Houston)
713/699-3974
La Rosa provides the following services: Adult Support Groups, Emergency Crisis Intervention, Individual Counseling, Family Therapy, Teen Support Group, and Information and Referrals.
Montgomery County Women’s Center (Conroe)
281/367-8003
The Montgomery County Women's Center offers shelter,
counseling, legal services, advocacy services, and a thrift store for victims
of family violence and sexual assault. Eligible clients may also apply for
scholarships annually. www.mcwcthewoodlands.org
Montrose
Counseling Center
713/529-0037
Montrose
Counseling Center provides 24-hour crisis counseling, emergency shelter,
advocacy, professional therapy, support groups, case management, and education
services to primarily the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities
for clients in or leaving violent relationships. www.montrosecounselingcenter.org
New Horizon Family Center (Baytown)
281/422-2292
New Horizon
Family Center provides counseling, assistance, and emergency shelter to victims
of family violence and sexual assault. The Center has 24-hour crisis
intervention, and information and referral services, as well as, accompaniment
and advocacy to assist victims. The Center serves East Harris, South Liberty,
and West Chambers counties.
Northwest Assistant Ministries
281/885-4673
The Family
Violence Center at Northwest Assistance Ministries is dedicated to assisting
victims of domestic abuse by providing crisis intervention services in addition
to long-term support services. Services are provided in both English and
Spanish. The toll free number is 1-888-750-4673. www.namonline.org
Prevent International
Parental Child Abduction (PIPCA)
PIPCA was
formed to increase awareness of the tragedy of international abduction and of
preventive measures that can be ordered by a Court when a child is at risk of
abduction. Threatening to take children away is abuse, as illustrated on the
Wheel of Power and Control. www.pipca.org
VIVA Clinic (Houston)
713/873-4980
The VIVA
Clinic is located on the 2nd floor of Ben Taub General Hospital,
open on Thursdays from 1 to 4 pm. Primary care, mental health, and advocacy
services are available. Any survivor is eligible to visit the clinic to speak
with a domestic violence advocate. Access to medical care if indicated can be
facilitated.
Women’s
Center of Brazoria County (Angleton) 979/849-9553
The Women’s
Center offers services to victims of domestic violence with shelter, counseling,
and support help available. There are satellite offices in Pearland, Alvin, and
West Columbia. The Center also does Protective Orders, holds parenting classes,
and has a batterers’ program.
Women’s Resource & Crisis Center (Galveston)
409/765-7233
The Women’s
Resource and Crisis Center provides emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis
hotline, counseling, clothing vouchers, and support groups for battered or
sexual assault victims. The Center can write Protective Orders. It also has follow-up
services and non-resident support groups.
YMCA International Services (Houston)
713/995-4005
The Trafficked
Persons Assistance Program provides comprehensive services to victims of human
trafficking, including housing, legal assistance, counseling, medical treatment
assistance, and case management. There are many other YMCA International
programs. www.ymcahouston.org
Go to Domestic Violence Services
The
various police agencies respond to and investigate all reported domestic
violence incidents that occur within their jurisdictions. If you are being assaulted, fear an
immediate assault or if the assault has just occurred, you should dial 911
immediately. PLEASE NOTE: Calling 911 may just be the first step.
If the abuser is not arrested at the scene and you wish to pursue
criminal charges, then you may need to go to the command station serving the
area where the assault occurred to file an official complaint. Officers take statements and investigate
cases of domestic violence, and, at some agencies, civilian advocates provide
short-term crisis counseling and referral.
Survivors should be prepared to spend a minimum of 2-3 hours at a unit. Witnesses can go and make statements in
person or can write a statement and have it notarized for the survivor to take
with her/him. To find out exactly what you can do for your specific case, call
the police department where the incident occurs:
|
Alvin |
281/388-4370
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Baytown |
281/422-8371
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Beasley |
281/341-4665
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Bellaire |
713/668-0487
|
|
Brookshire |
281/375-5000
|
|
Bunker Hill |
713/468-7896
|
|
Deer Park |
281/479-1511
|
|
El Lago |
281/326-5900
|
|
Fort
Bend County Unincorporated Area |
281/342-6116
|
|
Friendswood |
281/996-3300
|
|
Galena Park |
713/675-3471
|
|
Harris
County Constable’s Office- Precinct #4 |
281/376-3472
|
|
Harris County Sheriff’s Department Family Violence Unit |
713/967-5743
|
|
Hedwig Village |
713/461-4797
|
|
Hempstead |
979/826-8033
|
|
Highlands |
713/221-6000
|
|
Hilshire Village |
713/465-8323
|
Houston Police Department Family
Violence Unit
Central Command Station,
1200 Travis, Suite 1101
North Command Station,
9455 W. Montgomery
West Command Station, 3203
S. Dairy Ashford
South Command Station,
8300 Mykawa |
713/308-1100
713/405-6460
713/585-4900
713/731-5960
|
|
Humble |
281/446-7127
|
|
Hunters Creek Village |
713/468-7896
|
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Jacinto City |
713/672-2455
|
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Jersey Village |
713/466-5824
|
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Katy |
281/391-4848
|
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Kendleton |
979-532-8240
|
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La Porte |
281/471-2141
|
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League City |
281/332-2566
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Meadows Place |
281/983-2900
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Memorial Villages |
713/468-7878
|
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Missouri City |
281/261-4200
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Morgan’s Point |
281/471-2141
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Nassau Bay |
281/333-4200
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Needville |
409/793-4255
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Orchard |
281/341-4665
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Pasadena |
713/477-1221
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Pattison |
936/826-8033
|
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Piney Point Village |
281/652-1100
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|
Pleak |
713/468-7896
|
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Prairie View |
281/341-4665
|
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Richmond |
281/342-2849
|
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Rosenberg |
281/342-5566
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Seabrook |
281/291-5610
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Sheldon |
713/221-6000
|
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Shoreacres |
281/471-3340
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Simonton |
281/341-4665
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South Houston |
713/944-1910
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Southside Place |
713/668-2341
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Spring Valley |
713/465-8323
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Stafford |
281/261-3950
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Sugarland |
281/275-2500
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Taylor Lake |
281/326-5900
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Thompsons |
281/341-4665
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Tomball |
281/351-5451
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Waller |
936/826-8033
|
|
Webster |
281/332-2426
|
|
West University |
713/668-0330
|
Go to Domestic Violence Services
Harris
County District Attorney’s Office:
Family Criminal Law Division (Protective Orders)
713/755-5888
1201 Franklin,
Second Floor, Suite 2160 Houston TX 77002
Prosecutes
Class B and higher domestic violence offenses and Title 6 Family Crimes
(bigamy, criminal nonsupport, interference with child custody, etc.), files
applications for Protective Orders, and provides short-term crisis intervention
and referral for victims of domestic violence. Victims who wish to pursue
criminal charges should first contact the police agency where the incident
occurred.
Harris County District Attorney’s Office:
Victim Witness Program
713/755-6655
1201 Franklin, Suite 600, Houston, TX
77002
The Victim Witness Division contacts victims by mail once charges are filed to explain the criminal justice process, victims’ rights, victim impact statements, and crime victims’ compensation. The program also provides court accompaniment, referrals and other services.
Houston Police Department Family Violence Unit (FVU)
713/308-1100
The Family Violence Unit exists primarily to conduct follow-up investigations of domestic violence crimes that occur in Houston. Victims should know that they must come to one of four FVU offices and give a written statement before an investigation will begin. Family Violence counselors are available for consultation.
Houston Police Department Victim Services Unit
713/308-0080
The Victim
Services Unit provides the assistance needed to victims and families of victims
in working with the appropriate law enforcement agencies. It provides
information and referrals to social services within the Houston/ Harris County
area. It acts as liaison to the Attorney General’s office in assisting victims
and families of victims when applying for Crime Victims’ Compensation.
LEGAL
ASSISTANCE
Go to Domestic Violence Services
There are a
few organizations within Harris County that provide free legal representation
for low-income individuals. These agencies may be able to assist domestic
violence victims in obtaining divorces, child custody, and protective orders.
If individuals do not qualify for pro bono (free) legal services, then they may
have to hire a private attorney.
Harris
County District Attorney’s Office :
Family Criminal Law Division (Protective Orders Only)
713/755-5888
1201 Franklin, 2nd Floor, Houston TX 77002
Victims of
domestic violence (family or dating relationship in which there has been
violence) may go in person to the Harris County District Attorney's Office to
apply for a protective order. Interviewing hours are on a first-come,
first-served basis, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There is no
charge for this service to the applicant. If available, victims should
bring any information that will help establish a history of family violence,
such as police report numbers, photos of injuries, and witness names and
contact information. Victims who wish to file criminal charges in a family
violence case should first contact the law enforcement agency which responds to
where the incident occurred. For example, if the incident occurred in the City
of Houston, victims should contact the Houston Police Department Family
Violence Unit).
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA)
713/224-9911
AVDA provides legal representation in family law matters (protective orders, divorce and child custody) for low-income survivors of domestic violence who reside in Harris County. All program services are free, but individuals accepted for legal representation are responsible for paying Harris County filing fees and court costs.
Attorney General’s Office: Child Support Division
713/974-4876
or 1-800-252-8014
This office
will only set up custody as a means to establish child support. If there is any dispute over custody
arrangements between the parents, the AG will not handle the case.
Houston
Lawyer Referral Program
713/237-9429
This is a
referral line to private attorneys. If
you specify that you need a reduced fee, then they will refer you to attorneys
who are willing to work with your income and possibly set up a payment plan.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers
713/228-0732
Lonestar Legal Foundation
713/652-5911
To receive
services, you must complete a telephone intake by calling on Wednesdays between
9am and 11:45am.
South
Texas Legal Clinic - 713/652-0009
Texas
Southern University School of Law - 713/313-1075
University of Houston Legal Clinic - 713/743-2094
RESIDENCY PETITIONS FOR
BATTERED IMMIGRANTS
If you are an
undocumented immigrant who is being battered, you may be eligible to petition
for U.S. residency under the Violence Against Women Act. Battered persons who
are nonresidents, but married to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents now
can petition the courts to obtain residency without their spouse’s assistance.
The following agencies help you prepare and file these petitions:
Catholic Charities Cabrini Center
713/874-6570
Cabrini Center
works with Immigration Law to help people who cannot afford to pay private
attorneys. The department provides immigration help for people in many
different circumstances, including abused men or women who qualify for the
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Katy Christian Ministries Domestic Abuse Center (Katy)
281/391-4504
DAC helps
immigrant victims get immigration papers under VAWA and holds a bilingual
support group weekly.
YMCA International Services
713/995-4005
The Trafficked
Persons Assistance Program provides comprehensive services to victims of human
trafficking, including housing, legal assistance, counseling, medical treatment
assistance, and case management. Other YMCA International programs include
Immigration Counseling, a VAWA program assisting immigrant victims of domestic
violence to self-petition, a Crime Victims Civil Legal Services Program, and
Refugee Resettlement. www.ymcahouston.org
Immigration
Counseling Center - 713/953-0047
University
of Houston Legal Clinic (Also an Immigration Clinic) - 713/743-2094
|
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse
713/224-9911
AVDA offers an
18-week battering intervention and prevention program for men who are abusive
and controlling in their intimate relationships. It is the only program in the greater Houston area that both
meets the Texas Battering Intervention and Prevention Program Guidelines and is
monitored by the Community Justice Assistance Division of the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice. Groups are
available in English and Spanish and offered at various times and
locations. The program operates on a
sliding scale.
HELPFUL
WEBSITES:
http://www.dhs.state.tx.us/programs/familyviolence/shelters.html
This
website provides a list of all the shelters and non-resident programs in Texas.
http://www.abanet.org/domviol/home.html
This
is the American Bar Association Commission on domestic violence website. It
provides information about domestic violence and helpful advice.
http://www.ndvh.org/index.html
This
is the National Domestic Violence Hotline website.
The
Family Violence Prevention Fund is a national organization that develops public
education campaigns and materials regarding domestic violence and works with
governments and businesses to advocate for public policies that decrease the
incidence of domestic violence and support/assist survivors.
This
site provides good information on affect of domestic violence and other types
of violence on children.