Breaking Free: Co-parenting with an abuser
KPRC 2 is dedicated to providing resources for those experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence. We recognize that breaking free from such trauma is challenging. However, what happens when survivors must co-parent with their abusers due to a court order after breaking free?
Do you or a loved one need help? Free domestic violence resources in the Houston area
Are you in a dangerous relationship and need help? Do you know someone who needs help? In part of our effort to help people in the community, our team put together a list of groups in our area that can help victims of domestic violence.
Signs of domestic violence in your college-aged kidโs dating life that you may be missing
In an effort to help victims, KPRC 2 News created a series, โBreaking Free,โ 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.
Domestic violence and college students: These Houston-area universities, schools provide resources for victims
KPRC 2 reached out to several Houston-area colleges and universities to find out the resources they provide to students who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse in their relationships.
HPD, HAWC and city leaders address domestic and gun violence in Houston; officials raise awareness for victims
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and on Monday, several key leaders addressed how the violence is impacting the City of Houston and the resources available to victims and their families.
Families to Freedom in need of drivers to help domestic violence victims and survivors
Families to Freedom was created to help women who cannot get into a shelter, because it may be over capacity. The drivers help them find a safe place to go even if its outside of Houston. Organizers said without drivers, thereโs many domestic violence victims whom are unable to get away from their abusers.
โSir Freakalot Freshโ sentenced to 40 years for torturing girlfriend, forcing her to sign over title to Mercedes: DA
A Houston man who held a woman captive in a house while beating and torturing her until she gave him money and signed over the title to her Mercedes-Benz has been sentenced to 40 years in prison, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Wednesday.
โWhatโs love got to do with it?โ: Tina Tuner became epitome of โBreaking Freeโ role model for domestic abuse survivors
Fans around the world are mourning after it was announced that legendary artist โTina Turnerโ died Tuesday at the age of 83. The woman, who dominated as both an R&B showstopper and the โQueen of Rock nโ Roll,โ was a pillar of strength for domestic violence victims.
Live phone bank: KPRC, Houston Area Womenโs Center taking calls about domestic violence, human trafficking
KPRC 2 and our community partners at Energy Transfer and Houston Christian University are proud to host a phone bank with volunteers from Houston Area Womenโs Center today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
โIt was getting kind of uglyโ: Grieving mother remembers daughter who was killed by her husband in murder-suicide
A grieving mother is speaking out after her daughter was killed by her estranged husband. Huntsville police say Tianne Jones was shot and killed by Roy Wasbotten, who took his own life after the shooting on Summer Lane, on March 8.
Woman shots man during domestic violence incident in Rice Military area of Houston
Investigators say a man and woman got into some sort of altercation and witnesses allegedly reported seeing the man abusing the woman in a complex hallway. Police said the woman eventually pulled out a gun and shot the man in the chest.
โBreaking Freeโ phone bank: Call with your questions
This week, the entire KPRC 2 team is working on โBreaking Freeโ to help domestic and partner abuse survivors. Our goal is to provide resources, support and solutions to help people in our community. We have a panel of experts ready right now to answer your questions. You can call 713-778-8920 to talk with a domestic violence expert.
โI killed herโ: Man sentenced to 25 years after shooting girlfriend in jealous rage, DA says
Roger Wayne Douglas, 51, pleaded guilty to murder after prosecutors said he shot and killed 47-year-old Tanya Melton at his apartment, located in the 2000 block of San Sebastian Court, in the early-morning hours of Aug. 1, 2020.
Breaking Free: Ways loved ones can support domestic violence victims
When domestic violence happens, it is typically behind closed doors. Victims may feel isolated and helpless. Sometimes family members and friends may be aware of the abuse and domestic violence advocates said there are several things they can do to help the victim.
Breaking Free: Domestic violence in the LGBTQ community
Domestic violence has no boundaries or barriers. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or sexual orientation; but much of the domestic violence awareness movement focuses on solely heterosexual relationships. Members of the LGBTQ community say they do not feel seen or heard.
โBreaking Freeโ: What you need for planning your escape
Many times if you or a loved one is planning to get out of a dangerous relationship, there are financial and legal aspects you need to know about. Learn more about what someone needs to do to prepare legal and other documents before an escape.
Breaking Free: Helping African Americans de-stigmatize abuse, learn to ask the right questions
A survivor of domestic abuse, Dr. Conti Terrell started Fresh Spirit Wellness in 1997 after realizing there was a different type of dynamic for African American women who are dealing with it. She discovered that certain conversations that needed to happen were not taking place and many fears that these women had were not being addressed.
Ex-boyfriend of accused Texas husband killer Sarah Jean Hartsfield says he had suspicious house fire after break-up
An ex-boyfriend of Sarah Jean Hartsfield, the Chambers County woman who has been married five times and is accused of murdering her most recent husband as well as fatally shooting a past fiancรฉe, tells KPRC 2 their relationship ended in literal flames in 2016.
KPRC 2 presents a special weeklong series on escaping and ending domestic violence
Itโs a dangerous problem thatโs often hidden from public view until it becomes deadly. Domestic violence caused by an intimate partner can leave victims feeling vulnerable and trapped. But help exists. Next week, KPRC 2 presents โBreaking Freeโ. We are partnering with law enforcement and agencies across our area to bring you a weeklong series focused on stopping partner violence. The goal is to provide support, resources, and solutions that can save lives.
$15K bond: Missouri City police officer running for Houston mayor charged for alleged assaults of boyfriend using police baton, taser
A Missouri City police officer who is running to be Houstonโs next mayor was arrested Tuesday after being charged with continuous violence against the family, court records show.
3 separate domestic violence-related incidents have occurred over the last 24-hours in the Houston area; Therapist weighs in, urging survivors to get help
Following three domestic violence-related homicides in the Houston area over the past 24 hours, victimsโ advocates called on greater community support for those who are suffering and in need of help.
Man sentenced to 10 years in prison for assaulting his girlfriend with hatchet in 2020, Fort Bend County DAโs office says
A man is sentenced to prison after a jury convicted him of assaulting his girlfriend with a hatchet in November of 2020, according to the Fort Bend County District Attorneyโs Office.
Houston Newsmakers: Abuse, neglect affecting Texas children -- What can we do?
IN THIS EPISODE: After several rough cases involving abuse and neglect in children--including here in Harris County, Host Khambrel Marshall sits down with Dr. Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of Children At Risk. He believes that much of the abuse and suffering in children can be reduced if the government stepped forward.
Bond set at $250K for man accused of choking common-law wife to death during domestic dispute in SE Houston, authorities say
A man was been arrested and charged with murder after reportedly choking his common-law wife to death during a dispute about the way she disciplined their kids in southeast Houston Tuesday, authorities said.
โReal-life horror storyโ: Houston man sentenced to life in prison for using hammer to kill ex-girlfriend and stabbing man to death, DAโs office says
A Houston man was sentenced to life in prison for using a hammer to murder a woman he was having a relationship with in 2018, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Wednesday.
University of Houston-Clear Lake helping patients rehabilitate from brain injury for free
University of Houston - Clear Lake has a center called the Health and Human Performance Institute, which helps patients maintain physical therapy and rehabilitation after a traumatic brain injury long after insurance stops coverage.
Turner announces $6.2 million effort to help domestic violence victims in Houston
HOUSTON โ Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that the city is investing $6.2 million, provided by the CARES Act funding, in an effort to fight domestic violence, which he said has increased during the coronavirus pandemic. Turner launched the Domestic Violence and Crisis Intervention Response Initiative with officials from both the Houston police and fire departments and Houston Public Health on Monday during a press conference. He said the initiative will help the city intensify its efforts to address the increase in domestic violence calls. The domestic violence response initiative is needed.โOfficials with the Houston Health Department said its mental health division, crisis intervention response team and community partners will expand their reach to serve more domestic abuse victims. The Houston Health Department also launched Phase 2 of its public health campaign called, "Donโt stop.
Family of man killed by girlfriendโs ex-husband struggling to cope with his death
HOUSTON โ The family of a Missouri City man who police say was killed by his girlfriendโs ex-husband Monday said they urged him last week to end his relationship. Now, Martez Hurtโs family is heading to Texas from Washington, D.C. to retrieve his body. This past March, Fort Bend County deputies received three domestic violence calls concerning Jacobs and his unnamed ex-wife, officials said. Their emergency shelters are currently full due to social-distancing, but they are providing hotel accommodations to domestic violence survivors. Domestic violence survivors are urged to call the 24/7 emergency hotline for help at 281-342-HELP.
Southeast Texas LINK Coalition addresses overlap between domestic violence, animal cruelty
HOUSTON โ In response to the rise in domestic and animal violence cases, local agencies are partnering to form the Southeast Texas Link Coalition to combat the abuse. The Southeast Texas LINK Coalition aims to bring together agencies from across Southeast Texas to build a cohesive network that combats both animal violence and human violence. โBy launching the southeast Texas Link coalition we hope to prevent, combat, and educate the public on the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty,โ said Dr. Malone. A representative of the coalition said since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been an increase in domestic violence cases. Animal abuse cases are expected to go up as well.
โLeaving this to God and the court system,โ Friend of 20-year-old woman killed in Cypress speaks out
Rio Red Sky Gonzales is mourning the loss of her close friend and her brotherโs girlfriend, Julie De La Garza. The 20-year-old woman was shot in the face in the Cypress Spring area last Sunday. De La Garza and her boyfriend Francisco Gonzales were driving in a truck when her ex-boyfriend, who was identified as Mann Austin Hayes began firing. De La Garza was rushed to a nearby emergency room, where she was transported to the hospital and later died. โIโm leaving this to god and the court system to bring justice to Julie,โ said Gonzales.