Women’s Center still serving victims of abuse amid crisis

Despite the current coronavirus health crisis, the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center wants the community to know it is still providing support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in Hays and Caldwell Counties.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, HCWC has made adjustments to ensure the safety of victims of abuse and the staff who serve them.

“For weeks we’ve planned and researched diligently to find the best ways to continue our commitment to safety and the quality of service victims of abuse and the community deserve,” Marla Johnson, HCWC Executive Director, said. “By sharing resources with statewide and national partners and utilizing the creativity of our dedicated staff members, we have reworked all of our emergency services and found ways to continue services for current clients while maintaining social distancing.  We are increasing our digital communication to educate the public about the effects of abuse. All HCWC staff members are working onsite or offsite to provide the best services possible.”

Current services include-

• Emergency services include 24-hour “HELPLine” for crisis calls, 24-hour hospital response, emergency child forensic interviews and a 24-hour emergency shelter.24-hour HELPLine - victims of abuse may call 24 hours a day for crisis counseling at 512-396-4357 (HELP). A trained professional will be take calls to speak confidentially, provide safety planning and connect to resources available. During times of high call volume, a HCWC worker may take a number, and arrange for another advocate to call back as soon as possible .
• 24-hour Hospital Response - When a victim goes to the hospital for a sexual assault exam or family violence, HCWC can send a trained staff member or volunteer to accompany the victim throughout the process.  This has been HCWC’s practice for over 40 years. 
• Emergency Forensic Interviews - Only law enforcement or child protective services can refer a child for an emergency forensic interview when there is an allegation of child abuse. Interviews are provided only by one of our trained forensic interviewers at Roxanne’s House, our children’s advocacy center.
• McCoy Emergency Family Shelter - For victims of family violence in Hays or Caldwell County who are in eminent danger and in need of emergency shelter for themselves and their children, the shelter is open and staffed 24 hours daily.
• Currently, HCWC is not taking donations of items and there are no volunteers or visitors onsite to minimize exposure.  

In a March 26 press release, HCWC said it is reaching out via telephone, digital platforms, and video options with safety protocols in place to ensure client safety.

Visit website www.hcwc.org for information on services and resources available, and the educational website www.stopthehurt.org for educational content. 

“We know this is a hard time for everyone.  We know this is especially difficult for victims of abuse and we remain committed to providing support,” Johnson said. “We’ve all been put in a position that makes us feel unsafe and confused about the future, but there is hope. So many people are working hard to ensure there is a safety net.  We remain optimistic that we can all be a part of efforts to build Healthy Communities in Hays and Caldwell Counties.”

About Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center

The Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center has a 42-year history of serving women, men and children in Hays and Caldwell Counties who are victims of family violence, dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse. In 2019, 2,307 local victims of abuse were served face-to-face.  All HCWC services are free and confidential.  For more information and to support these critical services, please visit www.hcwc.org or call (512) 396-HELP.