Prevent and Stop Family Violence

SIDS is the sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant, usually under one year of age, which remains unexplained after a complete medical history, death scene investigation, and autopsy. SIDS is a diagnosis of exclusion.

Know what family violence is and how it hurts families.

Seek information from your local family violence center and other available resources.
Assess your behaviors. Is there some behavior that could change for the benefit of your children, family and yourself?

Be a friend and good neighbor.

Immediately call law enforcement if family violence is occurring.
Help children and adult victims make a safety plan.
Listen.
Help find resources to deal with the family violence and negative family life. 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) is the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Victims and others can receive assistance with crisis intervention, information, and referrals for local resources including women's shelters, social services, legal assistance, and other programs. The hotline is open 24 hours with English and Spanish speaking attendants. There are also interpreters available to translate another 139 languages.
1-800-210-2278 is the Texas Youth Hotline. This 24-hour hotline provides prevention services to youths and their families. Anyone needing community services can call.

Be a role model and positive teacher with your children.

Practice positive discipline that excludes hitting and negative verbal messages.
Teach and model positive conflict resolution to your children.
Treat children with respect and dignity.
Seek help when having family or personal problems. Everyone needs help sometime.

Support community family violence programs.

Support your local family violence centers and their programs. Learn their needs and how you can donate your time and resources.
Get involved with the annual domestic violence awareness activities in your community each October.

Additional parenting tips...