The Hays-Caldwell Women's Center has provided a safe place for victims to escape family violence, sexual assault and child abuse for 36 years.

In October, the nonprofit organization is also partnering with local law enforcement offices and volunteers to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The campaign aims to draw attention to the women's center's mission of creating a community environment where violence and abuse are not tolerated.

"The effects of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse can be devastating to communities, to families, and, of course, to individuals," said Marla Johnson, the executive director of the women's center. "And it can all be stopped. That's really the main thing that I think we need to keep in mind. Sometimes people feel really helpless, but people recover from abuse every single day, and they do need help. It is complicated, but there's help available."

More than 1,500 victims come to the women's center in San Marcos for services each year, Johnson said. Many more rely on the center's 24-hour hotline, she added.

Despite completing a $4 million capital improvement campaign in 2012, Johnson said the center is already trying to catch up with new demand caused by rapid population growth in Hays and Caldwell counties.

"Maybe more people are moving to this area hoping that some of the problems they had elsewhere will be better, and then they get here and don't really have any infrastructure, no support system or anything, so they're having to reach out for support from nonprofit agencies like us," she said.

To address the increased demand in 2014, Johnson said the center plans to boost its presence in fast-growing areas such as Kyle, Buda and Dripping Springs. Besides offering awareness events, the center will identify "networkers" who will act as a liaison or point person between the center and churches, civic organizations or businesses.

The organization also relies on volunteers who operate the 24-hour help line, help with parenting or child care programs or are involved in fundraising or other efforts, in addition to donors.

"The only way we can really grow to meet the demand is with local support," she said. "We can take big donations and small donations, and we really need people to pitch in."

Johnson said the center has grown from a six-family shelter with eight employees when she joined the staff 21 years ago to an organization with 34 employees and a shelter, children's advocacy center and crisis-intervention service with professional counselors. The 30-day shelter, which can house up to 15 families, comes equipped with security systems such as cameras, gates and fences to protect victims who are fleeing violent situations.

"People who are victims of abuse are some of the strongest people I ever met," Johnson said. "The worst has already happened before they come here, and they have decided they want to get some help or have been forced to seek help, and it's going to be better from here on out."

Local Domestic Violence Awareness Month events

The Hays-Caldwell Women's Center is partnering with local law enforcement offices, area high school football teams and others to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Volunteer advocates will attend football games, where announcers will provide information about domestic violence, and players will wear purple ribbons to raise awareness.

"Football can be a violent sport," Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler said. "Relationships shouldn't be."

• Oct. 17: Victoria Broussard, an Austin attorney, abuse survivor and author, leads a discussion about domestic violence. 7 p.m. San Marcos Public Library, 625 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos
• Oct. 17: Lehman High School football game. 7 p.m. Shelton Stadium, 4298 Jack C. Hays Trail, Buda
• Oct. 17: San Marcos High School football game. 7 p.m. Bobcat Stadium, 1100 Aquarena Springs Drive, San Marcos
• Oct. 18: Hays High School football game. 7 p.m. Shelton Stadium, 4298 Jack C. Hays Trail, Buda
• Oct. 26: Walk to raise awareness. 9–11 a.m. Caldwell County Courthouse, 110 S. Main St., Lockhart
• Nov. 11: San Marcos Academy football game. 5:30 p.m. Ingram Stadium, 2801 RR 12, San Marcos

Hays-Caldwell Women's Center, 512-396-3404, 24-hour help line: 512-396-4357, www.hcwc.org, Twitter: @hcwcenter