Relationships, Stalking & Domestic Violence

Contact an HCC Counselor

HCC Counselors are licensed professionals with master's or doctoral degrees who offer free, time-limited, short-term counseling to currently enrolled students.

Students with documented disability may also qualify for accommodations at HCC. Visit our Ability Services Page to learn more about accommodations.

Contact a counselor to schedule an appointment today

Resources

• Click for additional resources about HCC's Title IX Services
• Learn more about Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Abuse

Local Resources

• Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse - DVDA (divorce & custody papers, protective order, legal services) http://www.avdaonline.org/ (281) 885-4673; (713) 224-9911      
• DAYA (South East Asian Support Services) https://www.dayahouston.org/ (713)-981-7645
• District Attorney’s (D.A.’s) Office-Harris County (Request for Restraining Order) https://www.harriscountyda.com/victim_resources (713) 755-7300; (713) 755-8310; (713) 755-7114; 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: (713) 528-2121           
• Family Criminal Law Division (Request for Protective Order) https://www.harriscountyda.com/protective_orders 713.274.0212
• Family Violence Unit - Protective Orders Houston Police Department http://www.houstontx.gov/police/fvu/po.htm 3-1-1 or (713) 308.1100 
• Hope Alliance Crisis Hotline (24hr): https://www.hopealliancetx.org/ (800) 460-7233          
• Houston Area Women’s Center (Physical and Sexual Abuse, Shelter and Helpline): https://hawc.org/ (713) 528-2121 Domestic violence; (713) 528-7273 Rape Crisis   
• Innovative Alternatives (Free Crime Victim Counseling): http://innovativealternatives.org/ (713)-222-2525  
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: http://www.thehotline.org/ (800) 799-7233     
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline (800) 656-4673           
• The Bridge: https://tbotw.org/ (713) 473-2801 (24-hrs) 3811 Allen-Genoa Rd, Pasadena, TX 77504
• Bay Area Turning Point (Clear Lake Area): http://www.bayareaturningpoint.org/ (281)286-2525       
• WHAM-West Houston Area Ministries: https://www.whamministries.org/ 713-780-2727; 10501 Meadowglen Lane Houston, TX 77042
• Saving Pets (and Yourself) from Domestic Violence
  • BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions
• Shelter Resources

National Resources

• love is respect.:  https://www.loveisrespect.org/ 1-866-311-9474 or Text LOVEIS to 22522
• onelove: https://www.joinonelove.org/  

Stalking is ILLEGAL

What is Stalking? (Definition from SPARC)

• Behavior-A pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress.
• Pattern of Behavior-Not a single incident or "one-off" event. Called a "course of conduct" in most statutes. 
• Policy

 What types of Behavior is Stalking?

• Stalkers use a variety of tactics, including (but not limited to): unwanted contact including phone calls, texts, and contact via social media, unwanted gifts, showing up/approaching an individual or their family/friends, monitoring, surveillance, property damage, and threats.
• Identify Stalking Behaviors

 Is Stalking Illegal?

• Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the military and tribal lands. Some of the behaviors that make up the crime of stalking are criminal on their own (like property damage). Even if the behavior is not a crime on its own (like texting excessively), it may be part of the pattern of stalking behavior and victims should consider documenting and reporting it.
• Texas Penal Code 42.072-Summary by Texas Law Help

General Tips from SPARC

• Trust your instincts. Victims of stalking often feel pressured by friends or family to downplay the stalker’s behavior, but stalking poses a real threat of harm. Your safety is paramount.
• Call the police if you feel you are in any immediate danger. Explain why the stalker’s actions are causing you fear.
• Keep a record or log of each contact with the stalker. You can use this log as an example. Be sure to also document any police reports.
• Save evidence when possible. Stalkers often use technology to contact their victims. Save all emails, text messages, photos, and postings on social networking sites as evidence of the stalking behavior. You may also want to consider how to use your technology and your devices in a safer manner. For more information, please visit the National Network to End Domestic Violence Safety Net Project’s Tech Safety Site.
• Get connected with a local victim service provider who can assist you in exploring your options as well as discuss safety planning.

 Resources

• Stalking Victim Resources from SPARC-Stalking Prevention Awareness & Resource Center (Victim & Friends/Family Resources, Incident/Behavior Log, Protective Order, Safty Planning, etc)
• National Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource Center
• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network Stalking Article
• Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women Stalking

Human/Sex Trafficking Help

National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888

• SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO")
• Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages
• http://humantraffickinghotline.org 

Houston Resources:

• https://thelanding.org/our-work/

Other Resources:

• https://humantraffickinghotline.org/report-trafficking
• https://humantraffickinghouston.org/resources/how-to-report-trafficking/
• https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/safety/texas-human-trafficking-resource-center
• https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/human-trafficking-section/signs-trafficking/what-do-if-you-suspect-trafficking 
• https://polarisproject.org/recognizing-human-trafficking/
• White House Proclamation 2022