Economic Stress; Awareness Factors in Increased Need, Survey Says

IRVING, Texas, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Domestic violence programs across Texas are experiencing a dramatic surge in the number of families needing emergency services, according to a new survey conducted by The Allstate Foundation.

Of the 30 domestic violence programs The Allstate Foundation surveyed statewide, 87% say the need for services (hotline calls, counseling and/or shelter stays) increased in 2009. The largest jump for many programs was in hotline calls, with some programs seeing as much as an 80% increase this year.

Economic stress has been a major factor contributing to the rising need, according to 85% of the surveyed programs that experienced an increase.

"It seems the women are afraid to leave the situation. There is concern about the ability to find a job once they leave, and if they already have a job, they are afraid they may lose it in this economy," said Jana Barker, director of Brighter Tomorrows in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. "They continue to call the hotline to talk and get resources. They also come into the outreach office for counseling."

More awareness about domestic violence services may be an additional factor driving demand this year, according to 40% of the surveyed programs that experienced an increase.

"Increased media attention and coverage, increased community outreach efforts and education and an increase in number of survivors coming forth and reporting the abuse, are factors," said Kelly Boros, with the Houston Area Women's Center.

There may be an even greater need around the New Year. More than 80% of the programs surveyed by The Allstate Foundation expect a jump in requests after the holidays.

"Our shelter nights tend to go down from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but after Christmas/New Years nights of shelter increase dramatically," said Sherry Murphy, Executive Director of the Bastrop County Women's Center. "It seems that individuals in domestic violence situations try to keep the family together over the holidays but then things tend to explode afterwards."

How to Get Help

The Allstate Foundation conducted this survey to support one of the Foundation's signature issues and the Economics Against Abuse program. The program focuses on assisting survivors by providing resources targeted to build financial independence, and educating the public on how hard it is for people to leave an abusive relationship without economic resources.

The Allstate Foundation recommends survivors do the following to protect their financial security:

Contact a domestic violence program in your community through (800-799-SAFE):

Learn about the resources (i.e. emergency assistance funds, shelter, utility assistance, rent assistance, public benefits, and affordable housing).

Obtain a copy of your credit report and monitor your credit often:

Credit reports are available through the following three credit bureaus.

• Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 or equifax.com
• Experian: 1-866-966-1067 or experian.com
• TransUnion: 1-877-680-7275 or transunion.com

Open a new post office box in your name:

Obtain P.O. boxes from the United States Postal Service or other vendors for mail and any financial information you may receive before you leave or right after you leave your abuser.

Gather important financial information: Call your utility companies, wireless phone services and financial institutions, to secure your private information with a PIN and password. Do not allow vendors to use your mother's maiden name, Social Security number, or date of birth to authenticate your identity.

Change passwords/beneficiaries: Change ATM and debit card PINs and online banking, investing and personal e-mail account passwords. If your partner is currently the designated beneficiary of your insurance, will or trust account, choose a new person to be the beneficiary.

About the survey:

The Allstate Foundation statewide survey was conducted with programs and shelters in the following Texas cities and/or surrounding areas:

• Abilene
• Amarillo
• Austin
• Beaumont
• Brownsville/Harlingen
• Bryan
• Corpus Christi
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• Houston
• Laredo
• Midland/Odessa
• San Angelo
• San Antonio
• Sherman
• Tyler/Longview
• Waco

About the Economics Against Abuse Program

The Allstate Foundation created the Economics Against Abuse Program to help domestic violence survivors overcome economic challenges and lead financially independent lives, free from abuse. Through a partnership with the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the program provides a network of financial resources, including a comprehensive financial empowerment curriculum; funds direct services, including education and job training assistance; and spreads the word on how to empower those touched by domestic and economic abuse. For more information and to find out how to help, visit www.ClickToEmpower.org.

SOURCE The Allstate Foundation

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