Texas Council on Family Violence recently hosted First Family Violence Prevention Conference
- By Staff Writer
- Published 06/2/2009
- Education
- Unrated
AUSTIN- The Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) recently hosted its first statewide family violence prevention conference entitled “Make It Real”, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The “Make It Real” conference focused on practices that are utilized to stop violence before it begins, by using comprehensive, community-based approaches to change societal factors that allow violence to occur in the first place. The conference gave family violence practitioners an opportunity to connect and learn from one another’s experiences. In addition to Texas participants, nine renowned family violence prevention leaders from across the country conducted various interactive sessions on topics such as Building Community Alliances; Using the Arts in Prevention; Involving Men and Boys; Youth Leadership; and Fitting Prevention and Intervention Services Together. The RGK Foundation sponsored the event.
Despite the many family violence intervention programs in the state, Texas ranks second in call volume to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. A 2002 survey conducted by TCFV found that 74% of all Texans have either themselves, a family member and/or friend experienced some form of domestic violence. Statewide, in 2006, there were: 186,868 family violence incidents; 120 women killed by their intimate partner; 12,356 adults who received shelter from abusive relationships; and 16,968 children who received shelter.
“Prevention programs designed to change community attitudes that tolerate family violence and increase knowledge of alternatives to violent behavior are fundamental to breaking the cycle of violence,” said Gloria Terry, TCFV President.
The “Make It Real” conference focused on practices that are utilized to stop violence before it begins, by using comprehensive, community-based approaches to change societal factors that allow violence to occur in the first place. The conference gave family violence practitioners an opportunity to connect and learn from one another’s experiences. In addition to Texas participants, nine renowned family violence prevention leaders from across the country conducted various interactive sessions on topics such as Building Community Alliances; Using the Arts in Prevention; Involving Men and Boys; Youth Leadership; and Fitting Prevention and Intervention Services Together. The RGK Foundation sponsored the event.
Despite the many family violence intervention programs in the state, Texas ranks second in call volume to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. A 2002 survey conducted by TCFV found that 74% of all Texans have either themselves, a family member and/or friend experienced some form of domestic violence. Statewide, in 2006, there were: 186,868 family violence incidents; 120 women killed by their intimate partner; 12,356 adults who received shelter from abusive relationships; and 16,968 children who received shelter.
“Prevention programs designed to change community attitudes that tolerate family violence and increase knowledge of alternatives to violent behavior are fundamental to breaking the cycle of violence,” said Gloria Terry, TCFV President.