Many in the county are in the process of recovering from the pain of a pandemic; but for others, another kind of suffering has remained.

“Our counselors have reported an increase in abuse with their existing clients, mostly because of employment loss, which leads to financial instability,” said Conny Steele, program director for the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center in Marble Falls. The nonprofit, established in 1982, helps families across Llano, Blanco, Burnet, and Lampasas counties.

“We’ve seen a slight increase in new clients contacting us,” Steele said.

Counselors started working remotely in March because of COVID-19.

“Our emergency shelter has remained open during this time and the residency has been consistent,” she said.

Steele has a keen understanding of domestic abuse.

“It does not discriminate,” she said. “We see it in all economic levels, genders, ages, and cultures. Domestic violence comes in different shapes and sizes!”

When people think of domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse might come to mind.

But there’s more to it.

“We see many clients who are experiencing emotional, verbal, financial, stalking, and technological abuse,” Steele said. “Additionally, when providing services to clients, we often discover that the client doesn’t identify as a victim of abuse.”

Law enforcement perspective

Llano County deputies have seen a slight increase in domestic calls during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Deputies are handling a few more domestic calls than they usually do,” said Lt. Glen Williams with the Llano County Sheriff’s Office.

Depending on the situation, deputies routinely make referrals to the HLFCC, and for child abuse situations, to the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center in Burnet.

“But then it’s up to the victims to make that contact, and to get out of that situation,” said Chief Deputy John Neff. “If they need a ride to a facility like that, we’ll accommodate them.”

Domestic violence seems especially insidious.

“It gets worse as time goes on,” Williams said. “If children are involved, they can pick it up and it just continues. It’s what they learn.”

What makes domestic calls challenging for peace officers to investigate?

“Cooperation,” Williams answered. “Sometimes when we follow up on these calls, the victim won’t want to press charges.”

Neff said that a lot has changed since 1977, when he first became a law enforcement officer.

“Over the last 30-40 years, family violence assault laws have progressed. It’s almost flip-flopped so that the victim is better protected,” he said. “It’s a good thing, because now we can get people in for services, and also avoid a serious situation where someone is seriously injured or even murdered in the future.”

Back in 1977, if there was a husband-and-wife disturbance, even one with injuries, officers would not have to write up a report, unless there were aggravated injuries with a weapon used, he said.

“Officers then became required to write reports on assaults within the family, and to make an arrest if there were injuries or a complaint of pain,” Neff said.

Deputies urge folks to say something if they see something.

“If you see violence or a disturbance going on at your neighbor’s house, don’t be reluctant to call,” he said. “You could help get somebody out of a bad situation, because often the victim doesn’t have the ability to call.”

What can you do?

The HLFCC has advocates available 24/7 who will then refer people to either residential or non-residential programs.

All services are free.

“We provide a variety of services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault: counseling, case management, legal advocacy, bilingual services, emergency shelter, crisis intervention, financial assistance, referrals, transportation and sexual assault advocacy,” Steele said.

For folks who are not in crisis but want to help those who are, the HLFCC takes donations or people can shop at its thrift store in Marble Falls.

“We closed for the month of April, but now we’ve reopened at normal days and hours,” she said.

The first step, asking for help, can be the hardest part.

“Anyone seeking services just needs to contact our agency at 830-693-3656,” Steele said. “Anyone, whether victim, family member or friend, can call us anytime.”

For more information, visit www.hlfcc.org.