The following article is the finale of a five-week series focusing on raising awareness about domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and we hope to educate our community on this very important issue. 1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Locally, the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center has been serving victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and child abuse since 1978. Last year, HCWC served 2,055 victims of abuse (face-to-face) primarily from Hays and Caldwell Counties. 866 of those were victims of domestic violence.
On March 27, 1978, a group of about 40 women met in San Marcos to discuss how they could create some type of community program to benefit women in a personal and professional manner. That initial group quickly became aware of a need to assist survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The result of that meeting is the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC).
Almost immediately HCWC recognized that the lack of safe, affordable housing and childcare represented the greatest barriers for victims of abuse and their children to achieve safety and success away from their abuser. Staff and volunteers realized that while a domestic violence shelter answered an immediate need, it did not address the long-term problems that victims face.
