Domestic Violence on the Rise in Texas

By Dean Williamson
Staff Writer

Criminal reports indicate violence has dwindled, but domestic abuse remains a staggering problem.

Abilene's crime rate mirrors statewide statistics showing violent crimes such as murder, rape and aggravated assault dipped below previous year totals.

Both the local and state rates for index crimes - violent and serious property crimes - fell by 1.4 percent this past year.

But reported domestic violence numbers continue climbing.

The statewide tally showed a 5.7 percent increase in domestic violence, with 172,476 cases reported to agencies.

"The incidence of reported domestic violence crimes has increased 39 percent since 1991," said Lisa McGiffert, board chair of the Texas Council on Family Violence. "This is a serious issue for the council, and should also be important to everyone who is concerned about violent crime in our state."

The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that 130 women were killed by their intimate male partners last year, a total that represents 36 percent of all women killed in Texas.

"Domestic violence is a tremendous local problem," said Susan Keeling, executive director of the Noah Project. "Abilene had three homicides directly related to domestic violence last year."

Family violence accounted for 1,580 of the calls made to Abilene police last year, a slight decline from the 1,703 the year before.

"And I can't see the number going down a whole lot," said Sgt. David Gage of the Abilene Police Department.

Numbers of reported domestic violence cases have increased over the years, partly because of a shift in police policy, he said. Years ago a patrol officer might not make a report if a couple had calmed down and the danger seemed to be quelled.

But officers now make reports of every time they respond to a call.

Even with the numbers of reported cases locally, Keeling said this only amounts to about 20 percent of the town's abuse problem.

But education and recent law changes are providing women with the courage to report more of the attacks.

"Domestic abuse is a slow brain-washing procedure that occurs over a long period of time," Keeling said.

Most of the time the woman being abused still loves the person who is attacking her, she said. She still loves the person, but she wants to change the violence.

Educating women about domestic abuse involves determining when it starts, Keeling said. That first verbal threat can lead to a push or a slap.

"Battering is a power control issue of a spouse demanding their mate be who they want them to be all the time," she said.

The toughest part is for the woman to leave an abusive situation, she said. Most of the women feel they are trapped and have no choice but to continue living in the condition.

A controlling partner is apt to threaten the woman, making her feel obligated to the condition.

Most women realize that if they leave they will go from a comfortable income to poverty if they are thrown into the work force.

"But batterers can change," Keeling said. "And new laws have taken a big step."

More women are learning someone can help if they report the crime. Agency referrals can provide outreach group counseling for those needing to talk to others about the problem.

At the same time, the number of local victims requesting assistance continues to increase.

Requests for Noah's shelter and outreach services increased by more than 25 percent last year, with more than 635 women receiving shelter from abusive situations.

When the Texas Legislature convenes in 1997, lawmakers will be asked by TFCV to increase funding for women's shelters and battering intervention and prevention programs.