ODESSA, Texas — In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, NewsWest 9 wants to shine a spotlight on some of the legal support in place in Texas and police efforts that help victims and survivors.
Domestic violence includes a number of ways a partner or family member creates power and control over others.
As victims work to break the cycle of violence and survivors work to move on with their lives, help is there for them.
“I’ve been in domestic violence for 23 years, and so I’ve seen a number of changes," said Judy Drury, program director at Safe Place of the Permian Basin.
Safe Place is a non-profit that works together with district attorneys and law enforcement.
“We are not lawyers, but we do offer legal advocacy to help survivors navigate the legal system because it can be very, very intimidating and very confusing, and so we’re right there to hold their hand and give them the resources," Drury said.
One area of legal support is with protective orders, which can lead to arrests against abusers; that includes stalking thanks to newer Texas law.
“They’ve enhanced stalking, making it easier to file on stalking – stalking is a lethality factor in homicides...used to you had to have family violence for a protective order and now it’s sexual assault, family violence or stalking – you can get protective orders for stalking," Drury said.
Protective orders are also filed when arrests are made; it's on the victim to extend the time period of it and ultimately come forward.
“We can’t help them unless they first decide to make the decision to help themself," said Corporal Steve LeSueur of the Odessa Police Department (OPD). "So, they have to make up their mind that they’re going to -- first of all -- file a report and then stick with it throughout the entire process, with the courts as well.”
As efforts continue in the fight to end domestic violence, resources are available.
“We offer non-residential services as well as resident," Drury said. "Sometimes people think you just have to be ready to leave and come to a shelter. You do not have to be on board to leave at that moment -- you can still reach out to us and we can help you with whatever your needs may be.”
LeSueur added that crime has gone down in Odessa but domestic violence has remained steady.
For those in need of help there are resources out there that OPD partners with like Safe Pace.
The 24/7 crisis number for Safe Place is 1-800-967-8928.