October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time of year that is especially meaningful to organizations like Bay Area Turning Point (BATP), which provides pivotal resources for individuals experiencing domestic and sexual violence across the Harris County area.
With its 24/7 hotline, confidential support services, and partnerships with local groups, BATP is a social organization dedicated to supporting domestic violence victims and survivors.
“It takes a community to truly help someone out from domestic violence. We’re trying to create a network where survivors feel seen, heard, and supported,” said Melissa Prentice, the Outreach, Education, and Prevention Director at BATP.
“Our hotline provides confidential, immediate support and connects callers to resources that can help them reclaim their safety,” said Prentice. For those in immediate danger, the hotline is often the first point of contact–a critical connection to life-saving services, whether the caller requires shelter, legal services, or simply someone to talk to.
On top of the 24/7 hotline, BATP operates an emergency shelter where individuals who are fleeing from domestic violence can find a safe, confidential space.
“We are constantly striving to expand the shelter’s capacity to meet growing demand,” said Prentice.
In Harris County–both the largest and one of the most densely populated counties in the state–the need for safe housing exceeds the currently existing and available resources, leading to many survivors being turned away. In response, BATP is advocating to increase the size of its existing shelter and add additional housing programs to meet ever more pressing demands.
“Leaving can be the most dangerous time for a victim,” said Prentice, sharing statistics from the Texas Council on Family Violence. In 2024 alone, 161 Texans lost their lives in intimate partner violence, with 75% of those victims trying to leave to seek help at the time of their deaths.
Prentice also sought to highlight that domestic violence is not always physical.
“Power and control are at the heart of abuse, and it can manifest in many ways—emotional abuse, coercion, financial control,” said Prentice. “This is why we emphasize education about the full spectrum of abuse, from coercive control to economic manipulation.”
“But it’s not just about providing shelter and services,” said Prentice. “It’s about building a community where people understand the dynamics of domestic violence and know how to intervene.”
Whether taking action through through funding, volunteer work, or advocacy, entities like local government, community organizations, and businesses all play a role in supporting BATP’s efforts.
“Community involvement is key. Our partners, volunteers, and donors make all the difference in helping us serve more people and sustain these critical programs,” said Prentice.
The organization’s latest efforts include partnerships with local businesses and churches to establish more spaces for support groups as well as education and wellness programs. Prentice explained that these partnership programs help reduce the obstacles that survivors of domestic violence can face, namely financial insecurity, transportation issues, and a lack of accessible childcare.
In addition to emotional and material support, BATP also offers legal advocacy to assist survivors in navigating the justice system, as protective orders, custody disputes, or even mere financial assistance can be very difficult to secure without adequate knowledge. The legal representatives provided by BATP are trained to guide survivors through these difficulties and provide the means and expertise for them to better defend themselves.
Beyond just their direct services, BATP is committed to spreading awareness through community education and outreach, often by arranging programs and activities aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding domestic violence.
Though the majority of domestic violence discourse generally concerns women, Prentice also mentioned that BATP is working through the process of developing additional programs, including men’s support groups, to challenge harmful gender norms and expand their reach to aid an even larger portion of victims and survivors present in our communities.
Learn more about BATP, the support they provide for domestic violence victims and survivors, as well as how you can get involved by visiting their website.
