Baytown Texas Police Department

Baytown Police Department
3200 N. Main
Baytown, TX 77521
281-422-8371 

Victim Assistance
281-425-1050
281-425-1051 

Harris County District Attorney’s Office 

Family Law Division (Protective Orders)
Lt. Rene Hinojosa
713-755-5888

Victim Witness Division
713-755-6655

Chambers County District Attorney’s Office
Victim Assistance
409-267-3501
 
Crisis Hotline / Linea Telefónica de Crisis
713-468-5463 

Office of the Attorney General
Information & Assistance
1-800-252-8011 

Crime Victim’s Compensation Program
1-800-983-9933 

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233

Child and Elder Abuse
1-800-252-5400 

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault /
Crisis de Asalto Sexual
1-512-474-7190

One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.(1)  An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.(2)  85% of domestic violence victims are women.(3)  Historically females have been most often victimized by someone they knew.(4) 

When most people think of domestic violence, they think of men abusing women. While that stereo type is often true, many women are also guilty of violence against their partners.(5)  Studies have shown that women assault men about as often as men assault women. On average men are stronger and tend to cause more damage to women; however, not all men are bigger than their partner. Women can even the odds with weapons such as knives, high heels, and sharp nails. 

Domestic violence should not happen to anybody. Ever, Period. But it does – and when it does, there is help. Maybe you have lived with abuse, maybe it happened just once; maybe you work or live next to someone who is being abused right now. The Domestic Violence Unit of the Baytown Police Department can help.

Supportive Services 

The Domestic Violence Unit of the Baytown Police Department provides the following services free of charge to victims of violent crimes and their families: 

•  Notification of Victim Rights 
•  Assistance in Filing Protective Orders 
•  Help in applying for Crime Victims Compensation 
•  Court Accompaniment and/or Transportation 
•  Notification of Trial Dates, Court Proceedings and Case Disposition 
•  Information on filing Victim Impact Statements 
•  Referrals to Community Resources that offer free or inexpensive services 
•  Liaison between Victim and the Criminal Justice System 
•  Assistance in making a Report and/or Filing Charges 
•  On-scene Crisis Intervention and Victim Advocacy 
•  Community Education 
•  Bereavement Resources 
•  Funeral Assistance 
•  Homicide Aftermath Counseling 
•  Free cell phone for 911 emergency usages ONLY. 

Recognizing abuse is the first step to getting help. 

Domestic abuse often escalates from threats and verbal abuse to violence. While physical injury may be the most obvious danger, the emotional and psychological consequences of domestic abuse are also severe. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy your self-worth, lead to anxiety and depression, and make you feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and your first step to breaking free is recognizing that your situation is abusive. Once you acknowledge the reality of the abusive situation, then you can get the help you need. 

What is Abuse under the Law? 

Under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, abuse is defined as any of the following: 

•  Intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury. 
•  Sexual assault. 
•  Placing a person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to that person or to another. 
•  Engaging in any behavior that has been or could be illegal such as molesting, attacking, striking,  stalking, threatening, battering, harassing, destroying personal property, contacting the other by  mail, telephone, or otherwise, disturbing the peace of the other party. 

The Faces of Domestic Violence 

Domestic violence by statute law in all fifty states is child, sibling, spousal, intimate partner, and elder abuse. It is not singularly and specifically violence against women nor is it only and exclusively "battering" behavior between adult heterosexual males and females. 

You Have The Right To 
Speak Out
You Have The Right To 
Be Treated With Respect 
You Have The Right To 
Get Out!

The Facts on Children and Domestic Violence (View PDF)

Baytown Police Department
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT
VICTIM SERVICES

Violent crimes may include, but is not limited to: family violence, sexual assault, physical assault, and kidnapping, and homicide, sexual assault of a child, robbery and aggravated assault. If you would like additional information, or are in need of our services, call during regular business hours. 

Monday through Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
3200 N. Main Street 
Baytown, TX 77521 

Call 281-425-1050 or
281-425-1051

If we are unavailable, leave a message and someone will return your call. If you have an emergency, call 911.

Take the Quiz below and then click here to see how you did!

________________________________

1 Tjaden, Patricia & Thoennes, Nancy. National Institute of Justice and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, “Extent, Nature and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey,” (2000). 

2 “Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States.” 2003. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centers for Injury Prevention and Control. Atlanta, GA. 

3 “Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Data Brief, Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001”’ February 2003. 

4 U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Criminal Victimization,” September 2006. 

5 DeKeseredy, Walter S., & Schwarts, Martin D., National Institute of Justice, “Measuring the Extent of Woman Abuse in Intimate Heterosexual Relationships: A Critique of the Conflict Tactics Scales.” (2010).

Can pregnancy reform a physically abusive partner? 

It's unlikely. Experts say that pregnancy is more likely to have the opposite effect on an abusive partner. One in 6 abused women reports that her partner first abused her during pregnancy and according to the Centers for Disease Control, at least 4 to 8 percent of pregnant women report suffering abuse during pregnancy. Even if your partner seems to react positively to the news that you're pregnant, there's no guarantee that he won't turn violent again at some point. If a man strikes his partner once, he's likely to do so again. Pregnancy can cause stress in any relationship, and it's a common trigger of domestic violence. Good behavior now is not a prediction of what will follow because abuse often follows a specific pattern: Tension builds, the person becomes violent, and then there's a honeymoon phase as the person tries to woo back his partner or make up for the abuse by being loving and gentle. The cycle of abuse begins again later, and often the violence escalates with every incidence. 

How common is domestic violence? 

Domestic violence is all too common; it's both a personal tragedy and an enormous public health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control, every year in the United States more than 300,000 pregnant women experience some kind of violence involving an intimate partner, and about one-quarter of women country report having been sexually or physically assaulted by a spouse, partner, or boyfriend at some point in their life. Domestic violence is a leading cause of injury to American women between the ages of 15 and 44 and is estimated to be responsible for 20 to 25 percent of hospital emergency room visits by women. There is no "typical" abused woman. Domestic violence doesn't discriminate: Women of all ages, races, religions, nationalities, educational backgrounds, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic groups can be victims of abuse. Often women don't report abuse because they find it hard to define themselves as victims or they blame themselves for the problem. It isn't easy to admit or realize that the person you love or once loved or who is the parent of your child is an abuser. Many women also fear reprisal. 

What are the chances my partner will harm my baby? 

Abuse is dangerous not only to you but also to your baby, especially if you take blows to the abdomen. Studies show that intimate partner violence during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, low birth weight babies, and fetal injury or even death. And the situation isn't likely to get better once your baby is born. At that point, your child often becomes another victim in the cycle of violence. Research shows that child abuse occurs in anywhere from one-third to more than three-quarters of families in which a partner is also being abused. And even if the child is not abused directly, studies show that children who witness one adult abusing the other within the home are at risk of becoming violent themselves or entering into a violent relationship when they grow up. They're also at high risk for depression and many other psychological and behavioral problems. 

Is domestic violence always physical? 

No. Domestic violence can also involve behavior that causes psychological harm or attempts to maintain power and control through intimidation or coercion. Name-calling, humiliation, constant criticism, attempts to isolate a woman from her friends or family, extreme jealousy, restriction of personal freedom, tight control of family finances, and threats of physical harm are all hallmarks of an abusive relationship. If a person is controlled by her partner and lives in fear, she's a victim of domestic violence. Emotional abuse alone can leave deep and debilitating scars. 

Abuse doesn't have to happen every day or every week for it to be classified as domestic violence either. 

What can trigger abuse during pregnancy? 

For many families, pregnancy can bring about feelings of stress, which is normal. But it's not okay for your partner to react violently to stress. Some partners become abusive during pregnancy because they feel: 

•  Upset because this was an unplanned pregnancy 
•  Stressed at the thought of financially supporting a first baby or another baby 
•  Jealous that your attention may shift from your partner to your new baby, or to a new relationship 

How do you know if you’re in an abusive relationship? 

It's common for couples to argue now and then. But violence and emotional abuse are different from the minor conflicts that couples have. Ask yourself: 

•  Does my partner always put me down and make me feel bad about myself? 
•  Has my partner caused harm or pain to my body? 
•  Does my partner threaten me, the baby, my other children or himself? 
•  Does my partner blame me for his actions? Does he tell me it's my own fault he hit me? 
•  Is my partner becoming more violent as time goes on? 
•  Has my partner promised never to hurt me again, but still does? 

If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, you may be in an unhealthy relationship.

Remember that this information is not meant to scare, but rather to inform. Abuse in a relationship where a woman is pregnant can result in some truly terrible outcomes. 

Have a plan for your safety. This can include: 

•  Learn the phone number of your local police department and health care provider's office in case your partner hurts you. Call 911 if you need immediate medical attention. Be sure to obtain a copy of the police or medical record should you choose to file charges against the abuser. 
•  Find a safe place. Talk to a trusted friend, neighbor or family member that you can stay with, no matter what time of day or night, to ensure your safety. 
•  Put together some extra cash and any important documents or items you might need, such as a driver's license, health insurance cards, a checkbook, bank account information, Social Security cards and prescription medications. Have these items in one safe place so you can take them with you quickly. 
•  Pack a suitcase with toiletries, an extra change of clothes for you and your children, and an extra set of house and car keys. Give the suitcase to someone you trust who can hold it for you safely. 

Remember: No one deserves to be physically or emotionally abused. Recognize the signs of abuse and seek help. You might feel very scared at the thought of leaving, but you've got to do it. You and your baby's life depend on it. 

Staying safe in an abusive relationship is tough enough, but when paired with pregnancy, it can make for a really dangerous time for a woman. If you would like additional information, or are in need of our services, call during regular business hours. 

Baytown Police Department | DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT | VICTIM SERVICES

Call 281-425-1050 or 281-425-1051

Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm 3200 N. Main Street Baytown, TX 77521 

If we are unavailable, leave a message and someone will return your call. If you have an emergency, call 911.

NOTE: This is only the introduction section of the kit. To view and read the 31 page PDF click here.

Introduction and Instructions

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Adult Protective Services (APS)
Program is pleased to offer this Adult Abuse Prevention Kit to interested individuals and groups in Texas
communities. In May and throughout the year, you can help educate people in your community about the
problems facedby the elderly and adults with disabilities, and how to prevent adult abuse. The material in this kit is designed to help create public awareness about the problem of adult abuse. We hope you will use this opportunity to let everyone know that your community cares about vulnerable Texans.

How you can use the material in this kit

◆ This kit is designed for different types of presentations rather than to be given as a whole packet. Consider photocopying and distributing appropriate sections to religious, civic, and other organizations. Use other sections to help plan your adult abuse prevention activities.

◆ Take time to review the material in this kit. Decide how your group or community needs to help prevent adult abuse.

◆ Plan ahead. News releases should be mailed or taken to television station assignment editors, radio station news editors, and local newspaper editors several weeks in advance of an event.

◆ Choose a spokesperson. Have someone familiar with your organization, or an expert from a field related to people who are elderly or have disabilities, ready to speak or be a referral for more information. Include a quote from this person in your press release. Make them available for local news interviews or talk shows.

◆ Localize information. Your letter or news release has a better chance of getting noticed if you include facts about your community. Highlight local efforts and activities.

◆ Check the Web. This kit is available on the Internet at the DFPS web site. For this and other information on
protecting adults, the address is http://www.everyonesbusiness.org

◆ Coordinate the use of materials in this kit with other organizations, such as Area Agencies on Aging, AARP, and others interested in the elderly and people with disabilities.

Click here to view the full PDF document.

Harassment can frighten you and take away your sense of security and personal safety. It can even lead to physical harm. 

If you are concerned that you are being harassed, don’t hesitate to call the police. Peace of mind is important. Remember, do not have contact with the individual(s) as confrontation may place you at risk of violence or can escalate the harassment further. 

Texas Penal Code - Section 42.07. Harassment 

§ 42.07. HARASSMENT. 

(a) A person commits an offense if, with intent to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass another, he: 

(1) initiates communication by telephone, in writing, or by electronic communication and in the course of the communication makes a comment, request, suggestion, or proposal that is obscene; 

(2) threatens, by telephone, in writing, or by electronic communication, in a manner reasonably likely to alarm the person receiving the threat, to inflict bodily injury on the person or to commit a felony against the person, a member of his family or ho 

(3) conveys, in a manner reasonably likely to alarm the person receiving the report, a false report, which is known by the conveyor to be false, that another person has suffered death or serious bodily injury; 

(4) causes the telephone of another to ring repeatedly or makes repeated telephone communications anonymously or in a manner reasonably likely to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, embarrass, or offend another; 

(5) makes a telephone call and intentionally fails to hang up or disengage the connection; 

(6) knowingly permits a telephone under the person's control to be used by another to commit an offense under this section; or use hold, or his property; 

(7) sends repeated electronic communications in a manner reasonably likely to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, embarrass, or offend another. 

(b) In this section: 

(1) "Electronic communication" means a transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo-electronic, or photo-optical system. The term includes: 

(A) a communication initiated by electronic mail, instant message, network call, or facsimile machine; and 

(B) a communication made to a pager. 

(2) "Family" and "household" have the meaning assigned by Chapter 71, Family Code. 

(3) "Obscene" means containing a patently offensive description of or a solicitation to commit an ultimate sex act, including sexual intercourse, masturbation, cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus, or a description of an excretory function. 

(c) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the actor has previously been convicted under this section. 

Signs of Harassment 

If someone is: 

•  Threatening you or your children, grandchildren, family or friends. 
•  Following you or your children, grandchildren, family or friends. 
•  Threatening or damaging your property or hurting your pets 
•  Calling you over and over, hanging‐up or not speaking when you answer. 
•  Sending you unwanted repeated text messages. 
•  Contacting you by email or through social networking websites over and over. 
•  Calling your children, grandchildren, family, friends or co‐workers and asking about you sending you things you don't want 

Or if you feel that: 

•  Your emotional or physical safety is being threatened you are afraid to say something about the person’s conduct 
•  You can't do what you want or go where you want due to fear 
•  You need to change your lifestyle to avoid this person 

Online Harassment 

Don’t mess with anyone in Texas online. Effective September 1, 2009, a new Texas law makes it a crime to engage in various activities on commercial social networking sites or by e-mail, instant messaging etc. You can read an excerpt text of the bill below. Although self-explanatory, it seems pretty clear that Texas lawmakers don’t want people impersonating others on the Internet in order to harm, threaten, intimidate, or defraud anyone. The law also covers text messaging. Note that depending on the activities involved, the crime can be either a Class A Misdemeanor or a 3rd degree felony. 

H.B. No. 2003 

AN ACT relating to the creation of the offense of online harassment. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 33, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 33.07 

Effects of Harassment 

The cumulative effect of harassing behaviour and actions causes victims to experience intimidation, as well as psychological and emotional distress. The psychological fear usually includes an increasing fear of the escalation of the frequency and nature of the conduct (for example, from non-violent to life-threatening) and is accompanied by a feeling of loss of control over the victim’s life. 

You may find it helpful to speak to a Victim Services representative. If you would like additional information, or are in need of our services, call during regular business hours. 

Baytown Police Department | DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT | VICTIM SERVICES
3200 N. Main Street Baytown, TX 77521

281-425-1050 | 281-425-1051

Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm 

If we are unavailable, leave a message and someone will return your call. If you have an emergency, call 911.

Think Before You Send!

SEXTING is an important topic that Parents should be talking about with their children.

You don't hand your kid's keys to the car without having them first learn the rules of the road. So why give them a mobile phone, computer or social networking site and expect them to understand what behavior is and isn't acceptable?

WHAT IS SEXTING? 

SEXTING is the act of sending indecent or sexually explicit images or photographs, primarily between mobile phones. Sexting has already become very popular among teens and tweens. 

THE LAW 

Texas punishes teen sexting under its law against electronically transmitting sexual depictions of children. Under this law, it is illegal for one minor to electronically send an image of someone younger than 18 years old to another minor; this includes images of the sender, recipient, or another underage person. 

However, minors have a defense to prosecution when the images are solely of the sender or recipient, were sent within a dating relationship, and both parties are not more than two years apart in age (including if one party is 18 or older). 

Images sent to harass or bully the recipient may incur additional penalties for the sender. (Tx. Stat. & Code Ann. § 43.261.) 

FOUR REASONS THE INTERNET IS NOT A PRIVATE PLACE: 

•  Searchability – Anyone can search and probably find any image once it goes online; 
•  Persistence – Anything that is placed on the internet essentially never disappears; webpages are copied and cached so ask yourself is this really an image I want my children to come across? 
•  Replicability – Once you distribute it, someone will share it – in emails, IMs, profiles, on file sharing networks, etc. 
•  Invisible Audience – You don’t know who you’re sharing it with; even if your page is private, you don’t know what “friends” will do with it. 

TIPS FOR PARENTS TO PREVENT SEXTING… 

Have you looked at your child’s cell phone or social networking site lately? A growing number of teens are messaging sexually explicit and naked or semi-naked photos of themselves. Not only could this ruin their reputation, it could land them in legal trouble. 

Talk with your kids about appropriate and responsible ways to use technology. 

Discuss the legal and social consequences of sexting. Explain how “personal information” can be unscrupulously passed around, and how sharing too much information on the internet can damage their future or ruin their reputation. 

Teach your kids that just because a photo is deleted on their mobile phone, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t archived elsewhere and kept forever. 

Limit your child’s opportunities to ‘sext’ by establishing and enforcing a phone curfew, or have your service provider disable some functions of the phone, such as the camera or picture messaging. 

Monitor your child’s phone and social networking sites. 

Use a service such as MY MOBILE WATCH DOG or MOBILE NANNY which monitors your child’s cell phone use. 

SAFETY TIPS FOR TEENS 

Don’t take or send nude or Suggestive photos of yourself or anyone else. 

Never take photos of yourself that you wouldn’t want everyone to see. What you send could easily end up on MySpace, Facebook or elsewhere on the internet. 

•  If a sexting photo arrives on your phone, do not send it to anyone else. 
•  If you receive a nude or suggestive photo of a minor and keep it on your computer, you could also be guilty of sexting. 
•  Report any inappropriate photos or message you receive on your cell or computer to an adult you trust. Get your parents and teachers involved immediately. If the photos keep coming, you and your parents will need to report this to law enforcement. 
•  Don’t freak out if an adult decides to talk with the parents of the others involved – that could be the very best way to keep all of you from getting into serious trouble. 

 DISCUSSION STARTERS FOR A SEXTING TALK WITH YOUR CHILD. 

•  Have you ever received a sexual message or naked photos on your phone or computer? 
•  Has anyone ever asked or tried to pressure you to send a nude or sexual photo of yourself? 
•  What do you think about kids sending “sexy” messages or images to other kids? 
•  What do you think could happen if you receive, send or forward a sexual text message or naked photo with your cell phone? 
•  Do you think it’s likely that photos sent to one person will be seen by others? 

Baytown Police Department | DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT | VICTIM SERVICES
3200 N. Main Street Baytown, TX 77521

281-425-1050 | 281-425-1051

Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

If you would like additional information, or are in need of our services, call during regular business hours. 

Terroristic Threat: Probably not what you think: 

A terroristic threat is a crime generally involving a threat to commit violence communicated with the intent to terrorize another, to cause evacuation of a building, or to cause serious public inconvenience, in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience. It may mean an offense against property or involving danger to another person that may include but is not limited to recklessly endangering another person, harassment, stalking, ethnic intimidation, and criminal mischief. It is important to note that the statue covers the “intent of the person alleged to have committed the crime. A charge of making a terroristic threat does not have to even place the supposed victim in a state of fear, just that there was the intent to do so. Furthermore, the person alleged to have made the threat doesn’t even need to have the capacity or ability to carry out the alleged threat, again, just the intent to instill fear in the victim. 

Texas Penal Code §22.07 

The typical section violations under Texas Penal Code §22.07 state that a person commits the offense of terroristic threat if he threatens to commit any offense involving violence to any person or property with intent to: 

(1) cause a reaction of any type to his threat by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with emergencies; or (2) place any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; 

According to the Texas Penal Code under these two provisions, terroristic threat is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in the county jail and up to a $2,000 fine. 

As covered in the Texas Penal Code, Section 22.07, "Terroristic Threat," the penalty assessed on conviction for the offense varies based on the specific nature of the threat communicated and a person's intent. A charge under the statute may be filed as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the specific facts. 

Scope 

Threats made to individuals, the public at large, government agencies, public services organizations and private business entities may be considered terroristic threats when the threats communicated meet the elements of the statute. 

Misdemeanor Offenses 

Threats that provoke an emergency response from a public safety agency, that place an individual in fear of "imminent serious bodily injury" or that "prevent the use or occupation" of a public building or place, are generally Class B misdemeanor offenses in Texas. Threats communicated that place a family member or public servant in fear of "imminent serious bodily injury" are Class A misdemeanor offenses. 

Felony Offenses 

Threats that interfere with the "use or occupation" of a public building or place and that result in an economic loss of $1,500 or more "to the owner of the building, room, place or conveyance" are state jail felonies in Texas. Those that impair or interrupt public communications, utilities or transportation, that place a substantial number of members of the public in fear of "imminent serious bodily injury" or that are made with the design to influence the actions or activities of any branch of government are felonies in the third degree. 

Specific Penalties 

In Texas, Class B misdemeanors are punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail for not more than 180 days or both. Class A misdemeanors are punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, up to one year in jail or both. State jail felonies are punishable by confinement of not less than 180 days or more than two years in a county jail. Third degree felonies carry a penalty of imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not less than two or more than 10 years. A fine, not to exceed $10,000, may also be assessed in addition to confinement for felony offenses. 

Freedom of speech is a constitutionally protected right, and one widely regarded as an essential liberty in American life. However, this freedom is not a blanket protection that encompasses every possible instance, manner, and quality of speech. Lawmakers and courts have long recognized that some damaging or dangerous forms of speech should be prohibited. Making a terrorist threat is one such form of speech that is prohibited. 

Source: 

State of Texas: Texas Penal Code Sec. 22.07, Terroristic Threat. 

State of Texas: Texas Penal Code, Chapter 12, Punishments. 

You may find it helpful to speak to a Victim Services representative. If you would like additional information, or are in need of our services, call during regular business hours. 

Baytown Police Department | DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT | VICTIM SERVICES
3200 N. Main Street Baytown, TX 77521

281-425-1050 | 281-425-1051

Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm 

If we are unavailable, leave a message and someone will return your call. If you have an emergency, call 911.

Click here to visit the Love is Not Abuse website.
Click here to download a PDF copy of this checklist.