If you need help dealing with the issues of domestic violence or sexual assault, please call our 24-Hour Hotline at (281) 342-HELP (4357) now.

Domestic violence represents patterns of controlling behaviors exhibited by one family member or partner toward another. Behavior ranges from the use of fear and intimidation to verbal, physical and sexual assaults. The violence usually continues in spite of occasional "happy days" and promises by abusers to stop the violence. 

Sexual assault is a crime in which the assailant uses sex along with violence and/or humiliation to exert power and control over the victim. Sexual assault can be either planned or a crime of opportunity. Offenders often use force, tricks or bribes to accomplish the abusive acts. Often, a power imbalance, such as age, size, or status is involved in sexual assault.

Turmoil can lead people to become disoriented and lose perspective on what is right and appropriate. Here are a few things you need to know. 

1. Be yourself 
2. Be respected 
3. Express your feelings 
4. Set boundaries with your partner 
5. Expect a healthy relationship 
6. Break up with your partner if and when you want to
7. Make your own decisions 
8. Say no 
9. Not be pressured into doing anything you do not want to do 
10. Stop at any time 
11. Be safe

Violence affects people from all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic groups. Abuse is repeated violence that escalates and generally increases in severity the longer the relationship continues. Violence and abusive behavior is often interchanged with apologies and promises to change. This can develop into increased danger and threats to the victim when they try to end the relationship. This kind of abuse happens in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships.

You can call the Women’s Center hotline and ask how to proceed. The hotline operator will advise you on the best course of action for you.  An advocate from the Women’s Center will even come to the hospital and help you make good decisions. Services and support options, at no cost, from the Women’s Center are available to you. Sexual assault victims should be tested for evidence of sexual assault. You do not have to file a police report be tested. Evidence can be collected from a sexual assault up to 96 hours after the assault occurs. Your advocate will be able to answer all of your questions. 

There is no cost for the test, often referred to as a SANE kit or Rape Kit. The test takes anywhere from 1-2 hours, but can take as long as 6 hours as you wait for a nurse certified to administer SANE kit. If you believe you’ve been the victim of a date rape drug, you have 12 hours after the event to get a blood test, as part of the SANE kit, to detect any date rape drugs that may still be in your system. 

It’s painful to see someone suffer from domestic violence. Support that person by getting help from a women’s center. You can call the Fort Bend County Women’s Center 24 hours a day. The hotline is (281) 342-HELP or (281) 342-4357.

Call the Fort Bend Women’s Center for phone numbers of resources and help for the abuser: (281) 342-4357. Be clear with the abuser that violent behavior is not OK or normal. Offer to get him or her help from the Fort Bend Women’s Center. Call the police if you witness an assault. In many cases, the abuser can be required by a judge to get counseling.

Many women do, but sometimes the situation becomes suddenly dangerous or unexpected.  In that case, you have to leave the house immediately or quietly. Make an escape route from your home: doors, first-floor windows, basement exits, elevators and stairwells. You want to know how you can get away from danger.

Studies and experience have show several ways children will display or act out as a result of the abusive household. Some of the signs are: 

• Shame and low self-esteem
• Suicidal thoughts
• Withdrawal
• Difficulty trusting others
• Confusion of sex and affections
• Trouble sleeping
• Feelings of anger, denial, depression, guilt, anxiety, and helplessness
• Poor concentration and grades
• Overly aggressive or overly passive behavior
• Stress-related headaches, ulcers, or rashes
• Changes in eating resulting in weight gain or loss
• Flashbacks and nightmares
• Child-like behaviors such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, and nail-biting. 

Yes. About 70% of men who batter their wives also batter their children. Boys who witness domestic violence are more likely to become batterers. An estimated 62% of sons older than 14 who grow up in violent homes were injured when they attempted to protect their mothers from abusive partners. Children who grow up in violent homes are four times more likely to be arrested by police. They’re 24 times more likely to commit sexual assault. Your children are six times more likely to commit suicide and 50 times more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol. So, yes, your children are in danger because you aren’t the only victim, you’re the first victim. (Source: Juvenile Justice and Family Violence, 1994)

The Women’s Center can provide emergency transitional shelter for 65 women and children (under  18). We can provide child care while mothers are at work or at appointments. Arrangements for children’s education will be made.

If you qualify, you can come to the Center for Women Fort Bend County, where you can stay. Eligible customers typically stay an average of 30 days. In some cases, you may be able to be with a friend or family member who offer their unconditional support, or even a motel or hotel. But you can call our hotline for counseling, case management and other services.

There is no cost for you to receive shelter or assistance from the Fort Bend County Women’s Center. Some of our clients only need counseling; others require more extensive assistance. Through our donations and volunteers we can provide confidential housing assistance, employment training, counseling, legal referrals, snacks, meals, child care, computer access, medical help, temporary postal address, telephones, support groups, and transportation assistance to work or appointments. Having years of experience assisting victims, we know how to provide almost anything someone in crisis needs, all at no cost to you.

Victims of abuse have the right to leave the relationship whenever they want. Leaving an abusive relationship is not easy, though. It requires planing where to go, and preparing financially and personally for what is a stressful, and even dangerous transition to a better life for the victim and her children.

Know who to call, how to get out of your house when you are in danger, who to call when you need help, and what to pack in advance, when you decide that you’re ready.

Make sure you avoid having arguments where weapons are accessible in the house. Kitchens, garages, or small areas without outside doors are the most dangerous during arguments.

You’ll need cash for cab fare or other sudden expenses, change of clothes, extra house and car keys, birth certificates for you and your children, passports, medications, immigration paperwork, copies of insurance, credit cards, checkbook, legal documents such as separation agreements and protection orders, address books, jewelry, and papers that show any  jointly-owned assets. Conceal the kit in the home or leave it with a trusted neighbor, friend, or relative. (If you are going to the shelter, these items are not mandatory, just useful.)

Many people open savings accounts and have the bank statements sent to the address of a trusted relative or friend. If you qualify to stay at the Women's Center shelter, your won't need any money for housing and related expenses. Call the hotline to find out if you're eligible.

Of course you can. We assist women every day make new lives for themselves, free of abuse. A housing specialist provides resources and expertise in quickly setting up new households.  We even provide vouchers to our PennyWise store, which can provide basic furniture, cookware, and clothing that you need to setup a new household.

Yes. All donations tax deductible.

Definitely! You can contact our administrative offices at (281) 494-4545. We’re always looking for volunteers to help us create a safe place for women and children. A small amount of time can change a life forever.

Yes. The shelter location is kept confidential and has security cameras, bullet proof glass, a panic button, full-time staff, and a police station nearby.

No. Men can be victims of abuse as well and have access to all of our services except for housing at our shelter.