Local center provides a safe haven for victims of domestic violence

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Center Against Sexual and Family violence is working to promote community awareness on domestic violence.

The Center Against Sexual and Family Violence reports there were 157 death across Texas in 2015, including 8 in El Paso. The Center, which helps victims and survivors, have helped more than 30,000 people over the past few decades.

“This past year in our shelter we had 1,065 persons stay in our emergency shelters so it’s an important service that we offer but it also speaks to how much the community needs to understand the scope of this problem,” Stephanie Karr, Executive Director of the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence said.

The center typically houses an average of 79 people a day. Volunteers help provide shelter, protection, counseling and careers. Karr says domestic violence doesn’t discriminate.

“We always have more women than children in our shelter. We have men in our shelter as well because we know that men can be both survivors of sexual assault. We’ve had three-day old babies in our shelter and we’ve had 80-year old senior citizens in our shelters so we see the range of individuals in our cross section of our community as well so it’s not one particular kind of group or person it runs the gamut,” Karr said.

The Center reports people in abusive relationships try to leave an average of 7-8 times before they actually do. The reasons why most people say is hard to understand but Karr says it could be because of financial circumstances, children involved or fear of physical harm.

“Why is it so hard to leave? And the answer is very complicated. I always say I’m so impressed by the courage of individuals who make that decision to leave. There are threats of intimidation and retaliation and consequences for a person leaving that we don’t ever know about. One of the things that research shows is that the likelihood of severe physical harm or homicide happens most likely when a person makes a decision to leave, so it’s a very dangerous time,” Karr said.

Though the center has a headquarters for resources, the exact location of the shelter is kept secret.

“Those who seek shelter are fleeing the immediate dangers of domestic violence that puts their lives at risk and their children’s lives at risk. It’s often police or law enforcement who bring individuals to us at that moment but there are other circumstances.”

The center’s current emergency shelter, which was built in the early 1950’s as a church, was donated. Staff moved in in the early 80’s and have been there for more than 30 years. Volunteers have worked to remodel and keep it together but Karr says it’s past that point. That’s why the center has launched a campaign to help raise funds to remodel it. “Rebuild Hope” will cost $7.5 million. So far the center has raised a little over $4 million.The remodeled shelter will include 33 bedrooms, an increase from the current number of 21, a large indoor playground, a teen room, a dining room, conference rooms and classrooms.

“When they come to us, the number one thing they need is a place that’s calm and that’s inviting and that’s nurturing. We provide all of the basics of food and clothing and basic care supplies as well as a fabulous team of advocates that really provide the support, and encouragement and crisis intervention.”

If you need help or know of someone who does, you are urged to call the Center Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence at (915) 593-7300.