From Awareness to Action: Advancing the Fight Against Domestic Violence in 2024

Over the past year, we’ve seen tremendous strides in raising awareness about domestic violence. Campaigns have brought the issue to the forefront, urging us to consider not just physical harm, but the lasting emotional scars it leaves on individuals. Yet, while awareness is a necessary first step, it’s not enough on its own. Real change requires more than words—it requires action.

To truly support survivors, legislators play a pivotal role in shaping policies that safeguard basic human rights, such as access to mental health resources and safe spaces. Without the enactment and enforcement of these critical laws, the fight against domestic violence remains an uphill battle.

Pathways to Change: Advocacy and Partnerships

In 2024, An-Nisa strengthened its efforts to provide domestic violence awareness training for judges, medical professionals, campus faculty, and law enforcement. Additionally, our organization enhanced partnerships with university and community organizations to improve support systems and foster collaboration.

• Law Enforcement Training

• In February, An-Nisa partnered with the Houston Police Department (HPD) to train officers on cultural competence. This training aimed to help law enforcement better understand and respond to the focused communities.

• Judges Training

• An-Nisa conducted two Continuing Legal Education (CLE) training sessions during the first and second halves of the year for 150 attorneys and judges in Fort Bend County. These sessions focused on domestic violence awareness and culturally sensitive approaches.

• Campus Faculty Training

• In the first half of the year, An-Nisa conducted Youth Psychoeducational training at Rice University, the University of Houston, and Texas A&M to support students. In October, we returned to Rice University to train 40 staff members on cultural competence, teaching best practices to provide inclusive, effective support for their diverse student body.

Building a Future of Support and Empowerment

Together, we can transform the landscape for survivors through increased awareness, advocacy, and partnerships. Our objective for 2025 is to advocate for comprehensive legislation that mandates domestic violence recognition training for cosmetologists, both during their initial certification and as part of their continuing education requirements. In Texas, cosmetologists complete approximately 1,000 hours of initial training and must earn four hours of continuing education credits every two years to maintain their licenses. Supporting this legislation means investing in a proven intervention strategy that has the potential to save lives. It signifies recognizing that every point of contact is crucial in the fight against domestic violence. Together, we can work towards creating a safer Texas for all residents.

To learn more about this initiative or to support our work, visit our Advocacy page.