WE - Women Empowerment Division of Kind Karma Foundation

03/04/2021

Meet Jessica Serrano -

Jessica is one of the Victim Advocates for the Plano Police Department, joining the department in 2012. Jessica obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas in 2009 and has since earned her Master's Degree in Public Administration from the The University of Texas at Arlington in 2015. Jessica is bilingual, which allows her to serve the Spanish speaking community in Plano. She has received extensive training on working with victims of crime, especially domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

She has received over 500 hours of training on victim services and related topics by attending multiple conferences throughout her career. Jessica has developed and provided multiple training classes to law enforcement officers, victim advocates, college students, and the community on different victim related topics.

In 2016, the Victim Services Unit was honorably recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police for their innovative approach in meeting victim’s needs. In November 2018, Jessica became a Comprehensive Victim Specialist through the National Advocate Credential Program. In 2019, Jessica completed the National Organization for Victim Assistance Basic Level Crisis Response Team Training.

Jessica has received numerous awards during her tenure but her most rewarding award for her was a Lifesaving Award she received earlier this year. Jessica is currently in the process of completing the Texas Certified Public Manager Program at Texas State University.

We are proud to have Jessica as part of our team, here to serve the great citizens of Plano.

04/29/2020

BILL : S.415 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

Introduced in Senate (02/07/2019)
Protecting Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence Act

This bill allows an abused spouse or child whose immigrant status is derived from another alien (the principal alien) to obtain immigrant status independent of the principal alien under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Such an abused spouse or child must be accompanying or following to join the principal alien, and have been subject to battery or extreme cruelty by the principal alien. An abused individual with immigrant status shall receive employment authorization, be eligible for renewal or extension of status, and become an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence under certain conditions.

Currently, the VAWA provides a path to immigrant status to abused individuals who derive their status from a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, but not to those covered under this bill.

Summary of S.415 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Protecting Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence Act

04/29/2020

Find a Local Advocate

Family Violence
For family violence centers near you, visit the Texas Council on Family Violence. You can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at: (800) 799-SAFE (7233).

Sexual Assault
For sexual assault centers near you, visit the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. You can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at: (800) 656-HOPE (4673).

If you've been the victim of family violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking, we can help you keep your address confidential. How the Address Confidentiality Program Works The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) provides a substitute post office box address and mail forwarding serv...

04/29/2020

Bills realted to Domestic Violence passed in 86 th Legislation ( 2017)

http://taasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/85th-Legislative-Update-Booklet.pdf

http://taasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/TAASA-84th-Session-Legislative-Update-Final.pdf

04/29/2020

Texas is lucky to have US Congressman "Van Taylor" and Collin County Sheriff "Jim Skinner" who fight for the cause and help the abused.

He wrote the legislation that cracked down on child predators, and he wrote new laws to protect the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault...He certainly made the citizens of Texas safer." - Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1061520960684001
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/06/19/don-t-mess-with-texas-moms-how-one-woman-set-out-to-protect-her-daughter-and-change-the-law/

https://starlocalmedia.com/planocourier/news/senator-van-taylor-files-bills-to-eliminate-statute-of-limitations/article_12d2d4a0-bd1b-11e4-8b94-77be16856f2e.html

04/29/2020

TAASA ( Texas Association against Sexual Assualt)
FIND CRISIS CENTER LOCATED NEAR YOU

A crisis center can provide 24 hour hotlines, counseling and other services. Some centers may not have their physical address listed for security purposes.

Crisis Center Locator Search for your local crisis center in Texas. A crisis center can provide 24 hour hotlines, counseling and other services. Some centers may not have their physical address listed for security purposes. You can also download our Service Directory to find a crisis center. Downloa...

04/29/2020

TEXAS FAMILY VIOLENCE CRIME RATE : Find crime rate in your county
Collin : 3.24
Dallas: 8.95

https://tcfv.org/mapping-need-and-availability/

04/29/2020

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FATALITIES IN TEXAS : KNOW THE STATISTICS

https://tcfv.org/facts-stats/

04/29/2020

TEXAS COUNCIL ON FAMILY VIOLENCE

When you go to a shelter

* Family violence shelters are free. There are no fees associated with staying at a shelter.
* Many shelters have shared common areas. Residents share kitchen spaces, common living areas and bathrooms.
* Families generally share a room or bedroom together.
Individuals who go into shelter often share a room with other shelter residents.
* While some shelters may offer some type of childcare service, parents in shelter are responsible for caring for their children.
* All shelters must welcome and accept service animals.
* Shelters have laundry services and supply basic linens like sheets, towels and blankets.
* Programs usually provide emergency supplies such as food, toiletries and some clothing for the first few days of shelter.
* Shelters are usually confidential locations and request that the location be kept private. For this reason, visitors are generally not allowed.
* For everyone’s safety, programs ask clients adhere to confidentiality and privacy of all shelter residents. This includes not discussing their names, personal information or situation with anyone.

TCFV Technical Assistance Line
1.800.525.1978

TCFV Office
512.794.1133

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1.800.799.7233

National Dating Abuse Helpline
1.866.331.9474

Help for Survivors Find information, resources and help for victims of family violence. This includes 24-hour support, safety planning resources, utility waivers and more. Help 24/7If you need help, these national resources are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are completely anonymous a...

04/29/2020

QUE: What is ACP (Address Confidentiality Program)?

ANS: The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) provides a substitute post office box address and mail forwarding service.

This helps prevent your actual address from being revealed in state government documents and files while still allowing you to receive and send mail. You can use this substitute P.O. box instead of your actual address on forms, such as driver's license, voter registration and school registration.

The ACP doesn't guarantee safety, and it's not a witness protection program, but it's a helpful part of an overall safety strategy.

Note: Nongovernmental organizations, such as banks and private utilities, are not required to accept this substitute address. But if you describe why you use it, some of these organizations may do so.

CALL the ACP at (888) 832-2322 to request an application.

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/crime-victims/services-crime-victims/address-confidentiality-program
FORM:https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/files/divisions/crime-victims/ACP%20Application.pdf
CHECKLIST:https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/files/crime-victims/ACP-Checklist-092018.pdf

If you've been the victim of family violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking, we can help you keep your address confidential. How the Address Confidentiality Program Works The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) provides a substitute post office box address and mail forwarding serv...

04/29/2020

The charges and potential penalties depend on the degree of harm or threat and other factors such as previous family violence:

* Domestic assault is a Class C misdemeanor if the victim suffered no physical pain or lasting harm. Class C offenses are punishable by a $500 fine, but a conviction can cause other problems.

* Domestic assault is a Class A misdemeanor if the contact caused pain (such as a slap), left physical marks (such as cuts or bruises) or resulted in lasting injury (such as a broken jaw). Class A offenses are punishable by up to a year in jail and/or fines of up to $4,000.

* Domestic violence may be charged as a third-degree felony for strangulation (choking) or if the assailant has prior domestic violence convictions. These offenses are punishable by 2 to 10 years in a Texas penitentiary.

Call our law office at 817-755-1852 to schedule a free, confidential consultation, or contact us online.

Domestic Violence Charges and Consequences. Accusations of domestic violence carry serious criminal penalties. Call our attorneys for your defense.

04/29/2020

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. YOU HAVE THE HELP. JUST SPEAK UP. ([email protected])

PENAL CODE TX: OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.25.htm #25.11

PENAL CODE TX: SEXUAL OFFENSES :
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.21.htm

PENAL CODE TX : ASSAULTIVE OFFENSES
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.22.htm

Sec. 25.11. CONTINUOUS VIOLENCE AGAINST THE FAMILY. (a) A person commits an offense if, during a period that is 12 months or less in duration, the person two or more times engages in conduct that constitutes an offense under Section 22.01(a)(1) against another person or persons whose relationship to...