TDH Booklet4 - Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Background Paper - Primary Prevention of Violence Against Women
Introduction
Texans can work toward primary prevention of violence
against women (VAW) as a public health priority by applying
evidence of strategies that best address related problems to the
unique characteristics of the state. To that end, this section gives a
brief overview of current research findings using a public health
approach to preventing VAW while emphasizing findings relevant to
the state. 39
Texas and VAW
A statewide health survey initiated by the Texas Association
Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) and the Office of the Attorney
General (OAG) published in 2003, found that more than two million
Texans experience sexual assault in their lifetimes. 40 The Texas
Council on Family Violence (TCFV) reports domestic violence
occurring in epidemic proportions in the state. 41 Every week, at
least two abusive men kill their female intimate partners in Texas. 42
Every week, at least two
abusive men kill their
female intimate partners
in Texas.
Two out of every five
Latina Texas women
experience severe abuse in
their lifetimes and one of
every five Latinas in the
state is forced to have sex
against her will.
Texas, the second largest state in the nation in population and
land size, contains three of the biggest cities in the United States as
well as vast, sparsely populated regions. 43 In addition, Texas boasts
a diverse population. U.S. Census Bureau data (2000) predict that
the Latina/Latino population of the state will grow to 38 percent of
Texas inhabitants by 2026, with ethnic minorities representing 62
percent of metropolitan area populations. African-Americans makeup
at least twice the state percentage (more than 23 percent) in 11
Texas counties and Latinos comprise over half the population in 33
counties. 44 Recent studies find that all ethnic groups in the state,
both in rural and urban areas, suffer from VAW. 45 For example, two
out of every five Latina Texas women experience severe abuse in
their lifetimes and one of every five Latinas in the state is forced to
have sex against her will. 46 Texas serves as a model in the nation,
having developed a vast network of support services for residents
despite the state’s geographic and size challenges. 47 Even so, access
to services can be problematic. The Texas Department of Human
Services found that support programs reached only about five
percent of Texas women estimated to have been battered in 2001. 48
In addition, 18 percent of Texans requesting shelter from domestic
violence were turned away in 2002 due to lack of space. 49
Current resources cannot provide support for the number of
Texans victimized by sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking.
Concerted primary prevention efforts can, however, effectively
begin to address the public health crisis VAW presents in the state
of Texas.
A STRATEGIC PLAN TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN TEXAS
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