Domestic abuse victims typically leave a relationship seven to nine times before permanently separating from their assailant, according to the Texas Advocacy Project, an Austin-based nonprofit law firm that started in 1982 as a legal hotline for domestic abuse cases.
The Project provides legal support statewide primarily for women and family members seeking protection from abusive environments. No other state group exclusively provides such legal services, according to Jennifer Blackman, director of development and communications.
The Texas Advocacy Project’s Teen Ambassadors of Hope inaugural class was honored Aug. 29.[/caption]
In Travis County alone last year, the team of specialized family lawyers—who handle dozens of cases at any given time—closed 1,330 domestic abuse cases. Throughout the state, The Project served 9,718 people and closed 4,066 cases.
“The need unfortunately is growing as more people move here and as awareness rises,” Blackman said.
One in 10 children has seen their parent assaulted, Blackman said, and more than 200,000 state domestic abuse cases are reported each year.
“Unfortunately the number isn’t reflective of the actual number of cases because so much goes unreported,” she said.
The Project coaches law enforcement, judges and other domestic abuse “first responders” on how to look for signs of abuse and help victims when needed, Blackman said.
All those efforts are done on a shoestring budget of just more than $1 million. Grant money helps fund half of that budget, she said, and the rest comes from fundraising. The Project holds its biggest event, the ninth annual Black & White Ball, on Oct. 16 at the JW Marriott Austin.
The nonprofit also is working on proactive, preventive efforts by coordinating outreach with teenagers. The Teen Ambassadors of Hope inaugural class was honored Aug. 29 for learning signs of dating violence—information The Project hopes will spread throughout the 14 participants’ middle- and high schools.
“Those people are going to be the first responders for their friends,” Blackman said.
The teens also help fundraise for The Project, she said, having raised $10,000 this summer. That is in addition to the $300,000 anticipated to be raised during the Black & White Ball.
Supporters can also contribute $100 per month as part of The Project’s Justice Partners initiative to help fund the nonprofit’s legal mission.
The Texas Advocacy Project’s Teen Ambassadors of Hope inaugural class was honored Aug. 29.[/caption]
In Travis County alone last year, the team of specialized family lawyers—who handle dozens of cases at any given time—closed 1,330 domestic abuse cases. Throughout the state, The Project served 9,718 people and closed 4,066 cases.
“The need unfortunately is growing as more people move here and as awareness rises,” Blackman said.
One in 10 children has seen their parent assaulted, Blackman said, and more than 200,000 state domestic abuse cases are reported each year.
“Unfortunately the number isn’t reflective of the actual number of cases because so much goes unreported,” she said.
The Project coaches law enforcement, judges and other domestic abuse “first responders” on how to look for signs of abuse and help victims when needed, Blackman said.
All those efforts are done on a shoestring budget of just more than $1 million. Grant money helps fund half of that budget, she said, and the rest comes from fundraising. The Project holds its biggest event, the ninth annual Black & White Ball, on Oct. 16 at the JW Marriott Austin.
The nonprofit also is working on proactive, preventive efforts by coordinating outreach with teenagers. The Teen Ambassadors of Hope inaugural class was honored Aug. 29 for learning signs of dating violence—information The Project hopes will spread throughout the 14 participants’ middle- and high schools.
“Those people are going to be the first responders for their friends,” Blackman said.
The teens also help fundraise for The Project, she said, having raised $10,000 this summer. That is in addition to the $300,000 anticipated to be raised during the Black & White Ball.
Supporters can also contribute $100 per month as part of The Project’s Justice Partners initiative to help fund the nonprofit’s legal mission.
