Houston PetSet and Crime Stoppers of Houston are highlighting the impact of domestic violence on pets as Domestic Violence Awareness Month concludes.

The Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) is expanding its services and shelter capacity to meet the rising demand for domestic violence support, as highlighted during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The new four-story facility is located on El Camino Street on Houston’s Southside. The new facility is also under high security and has 120 beds, but will be able to triple the center’s capacity with 360 beds.

This time of the year can be a dangerous one.

Last year, KPRC 2 first reported how Harris County had seen a 40% increase in domestic violence crimes since the onset of the pandemic with domestic-related homicides ticking up even higher compared to the year before.

Houston Newsmakers: Houston Area Women’s Center talks Sexual Assault Awareness Month; celebrates 45 years

This month, we are featuring the Houston Area’s Women’s Center, an organization that that describes itself as a place that serves thousands of women, children and families each year escaping domestic violence, sexual assault or sex trafficking.

HOUSTON – Domestic violence is on the rise nationally and both our local police and hospitals are noticing the surge. This week, officers were shot while responding to a domestic violence call, where Sgt. “We know what happens all too often in these domestic violence situations when a woman has had enough and that abusive husband ends up committing murder,” Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said. Fisher said risk factors for domestic violence are social and financial stress. The U.S. Department of Justice is trying to relieve this problem with a plan to provide $160 million for victim assistance.