Crisis Resources for Abuse and Assault Victims

Finding help when you feel there is no hope in escaping a life of abuse or any other crisis can be debilitating.  If you are in need of assistance, there are organizations that are available to help you. Many of these services are at no cost because you are too valuable. Get help now. Help someone in need and help eliminate abuse and assault.

Crisis Resources

This is a list of service providers that offer survivors and their loved ones the resources they need to reclaim their lives. I begin with my area (DFW) then list national organizations that may have an office near you. Please check your local area for similar services and be encouraged that there is help available.

For IMMEDIATE EMERGENCIES, please DIAL 911

Dallas/Fort Worth: (Local and National)

RAPE / SEXUAL ASSAULT:

Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center (DARCC)
Sexual violence
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 972-641-7273
Counseling Services: 972-641-7273
http://www.dallasrapecrisis.org

Brighter Tomorrows
Domestic violence and sexual assault
24-Hour Local Hotline:972-262-8383
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (safe)
National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 (hope)
https://www.brightertomorrows.net

Victim Intervention Program (VIP) and Rape Crisis Center Family Violence and Sexual Assault Victims – (Parkland Hospital)
214-590-2926
https://www.parklandhospital.com/phhs/news-and-updates/victim-intervention-programrape-crisis-center-staf-589.aspx

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:

Brighter Tomorrows
24-Hour Local Hotline:972-262-8383
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (safe)
National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 (hope)
https://www.brightertomorrows.net

Genesis Women’s Shelter
Emergency Shelter/Long term housing / Counseling
Emergency Hotline: 214.946.HELP (4357)
https://www.genesisshelter.org

Family Place
Family violence programs addressing emotional/physical abuse and incest
24-hour Crisis Hotline: 214-941-1991
http://www.familyplace.org

Mosaic Family Services (Translators available)
Culturally/linguistically services to refugees/immigrants in crisis 24-Hour Crisis Hotline 214-823-4434
https://mosaicservices.org

New Beginnings
Crisis and long-term therapy services to sexual assault survivors
24 Hour Crisis Line 800-226-7273
Main Number 972-276-0423
http://www.nbowensboro.org

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
VICTIM ASSISTANCE HELPLINE 800-879-6682 (800-TRY-NOVA)
Advocate for victims by connecting them with services and resources
https://www.trynova.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Mental illness
NAMI HELPLINE 800-950-NAMI
info@nami.org
https://www.nami.org/

Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country
National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673).
https://centers.rainn.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network
24/7 Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (Veterans, press 1)
Crisis Chat Service – http://crisischat.org/
Crisis Text Line – Text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7 http://www.crisistextline.org/

Veterans Crisis Line – Send a text to 828255 https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474
http://www.loveisrespect.org

The Power of Encouragement

In this episode of #ResilientLivingTV – Kat talks about how simple is it to lift someone up with just a kind word of encouragement. It can be pivotal in life just to know someone thinks enough of you to nurture and support you with a word of encouragement.

PODCAST LISTENING OPTIONS:

How Hormones Affect Our Mental State

How do hormones affect mental health? In this episode of #ResilientLivingTV, Kat speaks with Doris King, a mental health advocate and author or Curing Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. Doris will share some insight about her diagnosis and living with mental illness and how it affects our relationships.

PODCAST LISTENING OPTIONS:

Fix Her Upper – A Life Renovation

It’s Demo Day in your life. In this episode of #ResilientLivingTV, Kat inspires you to take on a fixer-upper of your life – Renovating your life after challenges. Taking out the old and outdated habits and beliefs and bringing in new and fresh ways of living, thinking, and being. Read below.

PODCAST LISTENING OPTIONS:

Much like our homes, our lives can use a simple refurbishing, a detailed renovation, or a full-on remodel. The task of tearing out old, outdated beliefs and behavior that no longer or never served you allows you to open up to fresh and ideas and habits. Adding a fresh coat of color rejuvenates living and increases lifetime value. It’s Demo Day!

One of the most common reasons people renovate their homes is a change in their lifestyle;

  • an upcoming wedding
  • a new baby
  • or grown children moving away

For our lives, we make changes for some of the same reason as well as:

  • a divorce or change in marital status
  • new or change in a job situation
  • finally tired of neglecting ourselves

We may not need a lot of work so there are levels to a life improvement just like in home improvement. Let me start by clarifying between a Refurbishment, Renovation, and Remodeling;

Refurbish: (Make-Over)

To brighten or freshen up. – painting, repairing and cleaning to make look new again. 

Refresh: A hair cut, a new wardrobe, or way of doing our make up that makes us feel better about how we present ourselves.

Renovate: (Lifestyle Change)

To restore to good condition; make new or as if new again; includes re-painting, re-facing cabinets, installing new fixtures or finishes. The original design isn’t altered drastically, but rather, it is updated to a new standard.

Invigorate: Lose a few pounds, get a make-over, and adopt a healthier diet. 

Remodel: (Life Overhaul)

To alter the structure or changing the use of space. Involves complex design considerations as well as construction, electric, and plumbing

Repair/Revive: Get back to your desired weight, adopt a healthier lifestyle, new wardrobe, attitude, and way of being.

So there are steps to undertaking a project:

1. Make a Plan

Assess what you’d like to renovate and set priorities

  • Where to start – If you can change anything about yourself what would that be?
  • When to start – Don’t start at a time when you cannot devote the time and energy to the changes you desire. It’s self-defeating.

2. Be realistic 

Starting any good renovation requires a realistic idea about what you can and want to accomplish. 

  • See your renovation in stages. 
  • Do your research and talk to friends who have renovated their lives and ask them what to expect. 
  • Clip photos out of magazines of the life you want and create a vision board. 

3. Start Demolition

Once you ready, it’s demolition time. 

  • Begin to pay attention to your thoughts and actions that may sabotage our plan
  • Work behind the walls – check the emotional and mental wiring and make sure that there are no shorts or old wiring that will short circuit your progress,

4. Get advice 

Self-determination is great when it is working with you but there may be times when you feel weak and defeated. Don’t give up.

  • Have a support system that you can call for encouragement and inspiration. It takes a good friend to remind you that YOU will love how you feel once you have completed your remodel. 
  • Invest in a coach, trainer, or stylist to help you reach your goals.

Don’t look back and regret the before and after shot of your life. Take steps now to breathe new life and inspiration in your goals, dreams, and desires.

 

The Short on Height – Embracing your Uniqueness

I’ve always been tall –  I’m 6’2” and from the time I stepped out of my mom’s womb. I’m one of 12 children – 7 brothers and I am tallest of them all.

I had my moments of doubt and disliking of the thing that set me apart from most humans. For instance – dating. Guys would walk up to me and say “I love tall women.” and I’d say yeah, and I love tall men, know any? I’m sorry I just can’t see myself picking up my husband to kiss him. 

When I wrote my book I’m TALL You’re not, So that makes us even. I gave a nod to the fact that we all have something.

All my differences equate to the sum of me. My height is one of my unique features, but you may have something else that is an unlikeness that makes you unique.

You see – My glass is always half full. For some, my half-full is equivalent to an overflowing pilsner. – Get it a tall glass of water?

Everyone has something in life, an equalizing talent to share with others. It’s when you blend the totality of you with service to others, you expand your purpose and joy.  

The key is to highlight our unlikeness to support our purpose – Increase all that is good in life – expand your happiness?

To help you reach your height of happiness, I will share with you my three stances: 

  • Stand Firm
  • Stand Tall
  • Stand for Something

Stand Firm – Principle is the derivative of general law or truth. Standing firm in your truth is a display of authenticity, mental strength, and confidence.

We’ve heard the term authenticity tossed around and before it loses its impact, I suggest that you identify what’s authentic about you and stay true to it.

A city is not gauged by its length and width, but by the broadness of its vision and the height of its dreams.” Herb Caen

Stand Tall – Now I have no choice you might say, but I know you have seen those who wish they can shrink so they walk hunched over. 

The greatest height of heroism and happiness is obtaining the ability to embrace your unlikeness and overcome ridicule. Dr. Kat Smith

Stand for Something    this is where the fight comes out in you. Stand for what you believe, who you are, and your character/honor. These are the qualities that shape you as a person and gives you the confidence and knowing that you are at the height of happiness.

So the short on height is not that you have to be a giant to effect change or be the person you wish to be. Your unlikeness is your uniqueness and when you can: 

Stand Firm

Stand Tall

Stand for Something, you will reach great heights.