Families Together

Even though Amanda and her husband were married for 18 years and started a successful business, she kept so busy she didn’t recognize the warning signs of domestic abuse. The day came, however, when life got a lot scarier, to the point that she was walking on eggshells with her 10-year-old son, trying not to make daddy mad.

After a year’s separation, Amanda’s husband started making visits. Getting him to leave and not stay so late was hard. After he started breaking in, she learned he was on amphetamines. One night, Amanda’s son walked in when her husband was hitting her in the face. When her son tried to help, his dad pushed him into the dresser, leaving him with a permanent scar.

After entering the Families Together program at ACH, it was her son who reassured Amanda that they were now safe. Over time, they once again became excited about their future and her son feels there’s nothing he can’t do.

As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, so do the challenges it brings. This year, it’s especially important to highlight intimate partner domestic violence as a growing issue in Dallas-Fort Worth. With more families feeling the stress of the pandemic, instances of abuse can arise or worsen.