911 - 911 - 911 - need help for an unnamed/not online friend

[stoney321]

Is anyone aware of a shelter/organization with a proven track record in Houston for abused women? I'm not looking for what can be googled, I'm looking for a place that is KNOWN to help women get out of situations right after being contacted, for a place/organizations that is known for maintaining anonymity for their safety and a place that can deal with an abused woman who has children.

This person is a business executive who will need help regaining control over her finances, but take away that this means she won't require long-term placement in a shelter, just that push to get legal balls rolling.

I am leaving this post open on the chance that anyone scrolling by in the HOUSTON, TX area might see this. ETA If so, PLEASE MESSAGE ME OR COMMENT HERE and I will [privately] get you in contact with the SAFE PLACE to help you.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

Comments

[copykween.livejournal.com]

I asked a friend in Houston, she says HER friend volunteers at this organization and it is excellent:

http://www.hawc.org/site/c.9hJJL0MDK8KWE/b.7883817/k.A9ED/Domestic_Violence.htm


She also mentioned The Star of Hope, which has Emergency Shelter & a Transitional Living Center for Women (though she has no personal knowledge of the program).

[tinkerbell86ca.livejournal.com]

How can I tell if it's financial or emotional abuse? I'm scared and I'm not sure what to do or even if what's happening is abuse. Please help if you can, and if you can't I completely understand.

(For the record I'm in Canada, have been with my husband since I was 19 and I'm 27 now, married @21, two kids, I own my house and I grew up here, I can't drive, have hearing problems, and I'm scared. If you need more info, I will answer.)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Controlling behavior, IMO, is abusive. *hugs you so tight*

I don't know where in Canada you are (and you probably shouldn't say online to be safe, honey) but here are two links for you to look at IMMEDIATELY. They have all the centers in every part of Canada listed - websites, helplines, AND direct lines to help you.

CNWSTH - GET HELP This site has a button at the top that hides this from your history and your screen in case someone is snooping.
Canada Domestic Abuse Hotlines In English and French

Call, please. Even if you don't make a decision right this second, there's someone there that can listen to you, help you decide what's best and then help you come up with a plan you can use.

*more and more hugs* I'm thinking on you hard, and hope you're okay.

[tinkerbell86ca.livejournal.com]

OMG! Thank you! I have not gotten a chance to take a really good look at these sites, but hand on heart I will my dear!

And I am talking to a select few people, building a safety net if you will?

Thank you my dear for all your support :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/amy_star_/]

I'm in Canada too, in Saskatchewan. In my experience, even if you can get in to see your family doctor and tell them that you are being abused, they can get you resources. If you have no control over your finances, if your partner makes you feel terrible about yourself or like you are solely responsible for their well-being (as in, "if you don't come home right now I will hurt myself" or "I won't eat until you come home and it will be your fault if I starve to death" etc) or any other type of controlling behavior, it is abuse. I grew up in a home where that went on, trust me, no one should deal with that for one minute longer than they have to.

If you can get in to see a doctor alone, and use the opportunity to tell them you are in a bad situation and need out, they can get you numbers to call for shelters and referrals to counselors (although most mental health is not covered; social workers in the short term are in some places).

If you're scared, something is wrong. Please call someone. get somewhere safe and call from there. Find a library if you have to, get online, google shelters in your local area, and if you are in a very small community where there are none, reach out to someone you can trust, like a priest or doctor, and see if they have resources to help you locally.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for commenting with all of this great information!

[tinkerbell86ca.livejournal.com]

Yaaay! Thank you! And I am talking to people, building a support network if you will, it will be slow and very hard to do, but I will do it!

I am getting help, and thank you for your kind words!