Domestic Violence grows in Maverick County, Texas while many cases go unreported

By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016

The Winter Garden Women’s Shelter in Eagle Pass, Maverick County, Texas under the direction of Carolina Gonzalez announces an increase of domestic violence cases reported to its non-profit organization dedicated to assisting victims and children of domestic violence in the community.

Gonzalez also noted that many cases of domestic violence go unreported to law enforcement authorities and service agencies due to fear of retaliation, the perpetrator is the family’s breadwinner, do not want to harm the perpetrator’s job status or be arrested and incarcerated, still have feelings for the perpetrator, family or social stigma, do not know who to contact for assistance, have been threatened, intimidated or coerced not to report incidents of domestic violence by the perpetrator, fear of additional harm, and loss of self-esteem and/or confidence of victims.

Gonzalez stated that the Winter Garden Women’s Shelter in Eagle Pass is available to assist victims and children of domestic violence with counseling, legal aid, food, and shelter. Their office is located at 465 Quarry Street across from the IBC Bank Motor Bank and their telephone number is (830) 758-5188. Although their office is open from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. from Monday through Friday, they do have a 24 Hour Hotline for Assistance at 1-800-363-9441.

“We need as a community to continue addressing the domestic violence problem in Maverick County and work to make our community safe for all women and children,” said Gonzalez.

Children are often the most affected in the domestic violence cases. Gonzalez noted that from January 2016 to April 2016, the Winter Garden Women’s Shelter assisted 42 children by providing them temporary housing after domestic violence incidents while 21 adult women were also provided shelter. under their custody/ protection along with 21 new women. Many women who are victims of domestic violence have children.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, there were a total of 486 domestic violence arrests in 2014 in Maverick County by both the Eagle Pass Police Department and the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department. The Maverick County Sheriff Department reported 263 domestic violence arrests while the Eagle Pass Police Department reported 223 arrests associated with domestic violence incidents.

In 2013, there was a total of 432 domestic violence arrests in Maverick County by the Eagle Pass Police Department and Maverick County Sheriff’s Department.

In 2015, the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department reported 355 domestic violence arrests while figures for the Eagle Pass Police Department were not available as of press time. Generally, the Eagle Pass Police Department have over 200 arrests for domestic violence incidents per year. There is no question that in 2015 there were over 500 arrests related to domestic violence cases, signifying an annual increase.

Gonzalez noted that for every reported case of domestic violence to law enforcement authorities, there is one or two cases which go unreported in the community. Domestic violence is much larger than the number of arrests or cases reported to law enforcement agencies. Thus, the domestic violence problem in Maverick County is two to three times larger than the reported cases to the Eagle Pass Police Department and Maverick County Sheriff’s Department.

“Together, we can continue to fight against Domestic Violence and let our victims know that they’re not alone in their struggle. We stand together with you in your plight to break the domestic violence cycle and that their is assistance for victims,” added Gonzalez.

First, always report every incident of domestic violence to law enforcement authorities. Please call 911 to report Domestic Violence incidents, or the Eagle Pass Police Department at (830) 773-9044 or the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department at (830) 773-2321.

Secondly, please call the Wintergarden Women’s Shelter at (830) 757-5188 or 1-800-363-9441.

Third, if injured, please go seek medical treatment of any physical injuries.

You are not alone. Assistance is available to all victims and children of domestic violence cases at the Wintergarden Women’s Shelter.