In recent years, a courthouse under renovation and the coronavirus pandemic scattered domestic violence resources to different corners of Harris County, forcing victims to go to multiple locations to seek help, such as filing for protective orders and finding information about shelters and other resources. It was an ordeal that proved confusing and potentially put them at greater risk.

No more.

Family Violence Services, part of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office’s Domestic Violence Division, now is offering a variety of services from one location. Designed to help survivors better navigate the multiple systems available, its new facility at the Juvenile Justice Center will be unveiled for its community partners on Friday.

In honor of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, District Attorney Kim Ogg will recognize two of those partners, the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and Houston Area Women’s Center, for their work in combatting domestic violence and present them with donations of $261,900 and $180,034, respectively.

Additionally, Domestic Violence Division prosecutors and a social worker will outline available resources, including protective orders and safety information. The event will conclude with a tour of the space.

“Domestic violence is so very serious because it can easily escalate to homicide,” Ogg said. “It is known by many names: intimate partner violence, battering, spousal abuse and more. Whatever it is called, our staff is trained in working with survivors.”

Harris County consistently leads the state in intimate partner homicides, according to Division Chief Mary McFaden.

“We’re happy to be back downtown so that victims don’t have to chase us all over the county,” McFaden said. “Victims knowing where to find us gives a more holistic approach and more quickly and easily offers them hope.”