Battered Women and Children’s Shelter sees increase in calls to hotline
SAN ANTONIO- New numbers from the Battered Women and Children's Shelter show the number of calls to their hotline went up last year.
“I finally gave up and said I need to leave. I need to or something is really going to happen,” one woman who didn’t want to identify herself said.
The mother of five said she and her children left an abusive relationship she was in for 12 years.
It's a choice more women are making. Just last year, close to 3,300 women called the shelter's crisis hotline for help. That's up from the year before.
“Our hotlines are flooding absolutely,” said Linda Canizales with the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter.
Canizales believes the increase is due to recent women in the media sharing their stories, motivating others to speak out.
“If one person tells their story and reports, it’s definitely going to encourage another victim,” said the woman.
The mother is grateful for the call that changed her life. She's now working on getting a job and a home for her family.
“I haven't cried in so long. These are happy tears, not sad tears anymore. I don't need to be tormented. Pretty much I have life. I have life now,” said the woman.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter Hotline at 210-733-8810.
For more information, click here.
