Houston – It’s only natural that your kids grow up and start dating, especially once they head off to college or start a new life chapter.
It can be an exciting time for your child, but you may also see concerning signs indicating something else may be going on.
We talked with four advocates for domestic violence victims about some of those red flags:
- Their partner is overly concerned about your child’s whereabouts
- Constant text messages, especially if they’re not getting immediate responses
- Mandating that passwords must be shared with partner
- Your child is making excuses for their partner’s behavior
- Your child is self-isolating from family or friends
Advocates say it’s important to approach your loved one with care and not use a tone or words that sound like you’re blaming or shaming them for their relationship.
Who we talked to for this story and how to connect with their organizations:
- Emilee Whitehurst/President and CEO - Houston Area Women’s Center
- Christina J. Allen, JD/CEO - FamilyTime Crisis & Counseling Center
- Rachna Khare/Executive Director, Daya
- Maryam Kamal Eldin/Executive Director, Asians Against Domestic Abuse
In an effort to help victims, KPRC 2 News created a series, “Breaking Free,” reporting on domestic-related violence and its horrific consequences. The series showcased various stories of survival, heartache, and some even ending in death, but each shared a list of free domestic violence resources on how to get help.
Help is available immediately if you need it through the following numbers:
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
- Houston Area Women’s Center: (713) 528-2121
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799−7233
Do you know someone in need of help? KPRC 2 released the following features in “Breaking Free.”