Silhouettes stand to shine light on dark topic

National statistics show that, on a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide and women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).

This October, the Hardin County Crime Victims Assistance Center (HCCVAC) will host the Silent Witness National Initiative, a display of lifesize wooden silhouettes that honor the memory of Hardin County women murdered in acts of domestic violence in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The silhouettes are on display at the Brookshire Bros. stores in Kountze, Lumberton, Silsbee and Sour Lake, through Oct. 13. The theme is “Remembering my story. Remembering my name.” Each local silhouette is armored with a metal shield that tells a story of how the woman died at the hands of her abuser, as well as her name, according to Jennifer Walters, HCCVAC interim director.

In 2021, according to the Texas Council on Family Violence, each day 6,113 victims were served by family violence programs; 1,122 requests went unmet, many for housing or shelter; and, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual services increased by 750% in the past two years. Most female victims of intimate partner violence were previously victimized by the same offender at rates of 77% for women ages 18 to 24, 76% for ages 25 to 34, and 81% for ages 35 to 49, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

“We hope, when the women see the displays, it will raise awareness and the seriousness of domestic violence, and how it can escalate to murder if they don’t have any intervention in the earlier stages of domestic violence,” Walters shared. “We want to remember the memories of the women that we have lost to domestic violence and to remind people that there is help available.

“And, please, get help before it reaches this point.”

Walter said several cases are still open for the 11 women represented by the silhouettes – and more silhouettes are needed.

“We have three women who more recently lost their lives,” said Walters, adding that HCCVAC will ask for donations at the memorial service to help get the trio silhouettes through the Silent Witness Initiative. “A mom and her daughter were both killed on the same day and, after that, the grandmother was also killed.”

Walters said anyone, at any age, can go to HCCVAC for their assistance or counseling services.

“We can help whether they file charges or not,” noted Walters. “We can get them a protective order if they decide to file charges and it will last between 30 to 90 days, then we can help them get a two-year protection order if they are still having issues.”

Walters warned of a “domestic violence wheel,” or cycle, that many fall into that includes a honeymoon phase with hearts and flowers, progressing on to a more aggressive stage where there’s yelling and screaming, and often escalating to physical violence. Then, the cycle begins anew.

“The cycle keeps slowly going,” she said.

The silhouettes were displayed at the Kountze, Silsbee and Hardin-Jefferson High Schools on Oct. 2 – 6. From Oct. 16 – 27, the silhouettes will be displayed at the Kountze, Lumberton, Silsbee and Sour Lake police departments, as well as the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.

Monday, Oct. 30, the silhouettes will be displayed in the Hardin County Courthouse lobby. A short memorial ceremony and balloon release is scheduled for 6 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. Light refreshments will be provided.

HCCVAC is located at 1135 Redwood St., in Kountze, and can be reached at (409) 246-4300.