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Constable Bruce Elfant
Notebook Archives
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Constable's Notebook - June 2007
Most of us know family members, friends, co-workers or neighbors who have been
victimized by family violence. According to a recent statewide poll conducted
by the Texas Council on Family Violence, 74% of Texans reported that they or
someone they know have experienced some form of domestic violence. Last year,
nearly 200,000 Texans were victimized by domestic violence and 140 women were
killed by their partner. Travis County area law enforcement officials responded
to nearly 10,000 family violence disturbance calls and my office served about
1,500 protective orders.
When I first became involved in family violence issues nearly 20 years
ago, the laws were ineffective, shelters were very small and usually full,
services were sparse and fewer than 10% of cases were ever prosecuted. The
responsibility to file charges fell fully on victims. Most victims were afraid
to file charges, had no money or place to live, or believed it wouldn’t happen
again. For many, the abuse didn’t stop, it got worse.
In 1990 the Austin Police Department and County Attorney’s office shifted the
burden of filing charges from victims to officers and prosecutors. Offender
counseling was made a condition of being released from jail on personal bond.
Shelter services were expanded and the Travis County Family Violence Task force
began an aggressive campaign to educate our community about available services.
As a result of these and other efforts, family violence prosecutions increased
and repeat offenses dropped. Reported family violence cases have actually risen
as more victims learned where to turn and began to believe that law enforcement,
prosecutors and counselors could help to end the abuse.
The service and enforcement of family violence protective orders has always
been a top priority for my officers. We know that the time period from when
a protective order is issued by a court to when it is served is certainly a
stressful and potentially dangerous time for victims. Accordingly, we have
worked to serve protective orders and provide notification of service as
quickly as possible. Five years ago we established an online service check
that provided service information at Constable5.com.
Thanks to the funding by the Travis County Commissioners Court for mobile data
computers, we are now able to provide instant notification that protective orders
have been served. According to professionals in the family violence arena, the
Constable Precinct Five instant protective order notification is a first for
Texas and possibly anywhere in the nation. Our ability to provide immediate
notice of service will better enable victims to make critical decisions regarding
their safety and well being.
For more information on where to seek help if you suspect someone is experiencing
a family violence situation, go to
www.Constable5.com.
If there is an emergency situation, please call 911 immediately.
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