Haven for Hope has a team dedicated to identifying and supporting victims of domestic violence.

SAN ANTONIO – A study of people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio found that hundreds of women and children are fleeing domestic violence.

The most recent point-in-time study documenting homelessness trends found that 524 people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio are fleeing abuse.

The overall number from 2023 increased by 51 percent.

Because the issues of domestic violence and homelessness overlap, Haven for Hope has had a dedicated office there since it opened in 2010.

The office belongs to Leslie Schultz, but she is not an employee of Haven for Hope.

Schultz is clinical services director for Family Violence Prevention Services, which provides resources to victims, including shelters for abused women and children.

Thanks to Schultz’s team, Haven is able to provide similar comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence.

“Our counselors probably spend five to six hours a day with their clients,” Schultz said.

This estimate puts the average time spent working with these clients at 200 hours per month.

In some cases, the first session may simply aim to confirm that these women and men are being abused.

While we often think of abuse as physical or sexual, Schultz wants people to know that abuse can also be verbal, emotional and financial.

She said financial abuse can play a big role in victims becoming homeless.

“They had no access to their family’s assets, and even if they were employed, they were required to give pay checks endorsed by criminals,” Schultz said. “Not only for their physical safety, but knowing they’d have to start all over again is a very scary decision.”

Once victims are able to escape and are ready to officially register with Haven for Hope’s intake department, they are given a form to tick indicating they are fleeing domestic violence.

Even if they don’t check that box, once they’re assigned a case manager, they often find they need help dealing with the trauma of the abuse.

These families are referred to Schultz and her team, who provide counseling, case managers and job-hunting courses.

Victims of domestic violence are at the top of the list for rapid rehousing, along with military veterans and young people between the ages of 18 and 25.

Schultz said he would like to see more training for homeless shelter staff, who have the most contact with people.

“Even those on the front lines think of domestic violence as physical and sexual assault and don’t understand that exploitation of children, money, emotions and words is another element in a pattern of power and control,” Schultz said.

Schultz also acknowledged reproductive abuse, another tool of power and control.

Victims don’t usually bring just one child, Schultz said.

“If someone is forced to carry a pregnancy or childbirth, their dependency on the criminal goes up sharply,” Schultz said. “‘You can’t live without me’ or ‘I’m going to do everything in my power to take your children from you.'”

If an abuser finds a family member at Haven for Hope, or if the family requests transfer, they will be transferred to a shelter for abused women and children, where victims can receive the same support.

“We’re giving them back their voice, their independence and their power so that they have options,” Schultz said. “Most importantly, they know they can succeed without their abuser.”

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, there is a lot of help available: KSAT’s domestic violence webpage has a list of resources and also explains how to identify different types of abuse.

If it’s an emergency, text or call 911. For comprehensive services, including shelter for abused women and children, call Family Violence Prevention Services at (210) 703-8810.

You can also contact the Bexar County Family Justice Center, which offers comprehensive services, at (210) 631-0100.

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