Law enforcement officials are bracing for a spike in domestic violence over the next week.

Maury County Sheriff’s Capt. Jimmy Tennyson said the agency encourages people to stay away from alcohol and to seek counsel from others to get through stress. He said the holidays can be a depressing time for people.

“In reality it’s only going to compound those problems,” he said of turning to alcohol when depressed. “Times are tough, especially with people out of jobs, but people just need to do their best to get through them.”

The Sheriff’s Department and Columbia Police Department responded to a combined 1,316 domestic-related assaults in 2008, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation statistics.

C-dh.net

The actor Charlie Sheen, 44, above in a police photo, has been ordered to return to court in Aspen, Colo., on Feb. 8, after his arrest there on Christmas morning at a house where he was staying with his wife, Brooke Mueller Sheen, 32, The Associated Press reported. The police responded to a 911 call, according to an Aspen police spokeswoman, Stephanie Dasaro, and Mr. Sheen, the star of the CBS comedy “Two and a Half Men” was taken to the Pitkin County jail and booked for second-degree assault, menacing and criminal mischief. He was released later Friday after posting bond of $8,500. Mr. Sheen returned to Los Angeles immediately after his release. The accuser, who was not named under the police department’s policy in domestic violence cases, was not taken to the hospital. In December 1996 Mr. Sheen was arrested for attacking Brittany Ashfield, who was his girlfriend, at his home in Southern California. He pleaded guilty in 1997 and was placed on two years’ probation.

Nytimes.com

Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center in San Marcos seeks a Master’s in Social Work (required) with at least two years experience to supervise University interns, provide advocacy, crisis services, and case management to adult victims of abuse.  Exp. working directly with people and multi-tasking skills are essential. Some evenings are possible.  Spanish speaking preferred. Salary range $32,000 – $34,000 depending on experience.  For app:  512-396-3404 or mducote@hcwc.org.  Open until filled/EOE.

Four Krazy women are walking 41 miles in one day to raise awareness and funds to raise the $1.5 million needed to build a shelter for battered women and their children in Kendall County.  Individuals can give only $41 (a dollar a mile) and help Kendall County Women’s Shelter reach their goal in only 2 months.  These Krazy women each have a direct connection to domestic violence and are committed to stopping this ugly cycle and providing a way out for other victims. Visit www.krazywomenwalking.com or www.kendallwomensshelter.com for more information.

Four krazy women are walking 41 miles in hopes of raising 1.5 million dollars necessary for building a women’s shelter in Kendall County, Texas. They will leave on January 1 at 12:01 a.m. from Boerne, Texas.  They ask that people donate just $1 per mile ($41). Such a small amount from a large number of individuals can make a great difference. Please visit Krazywomenwalking.com to meet the krazy women, learn more or make a donation to help the cause.

The Criminal Justice Division (CJD) of the Governor’s Office is currently soliciting applications for projects that reduce and prevent violence against women. The purpose of the VAWA Recovery Act Program is to assist in developing and strengthening effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women and to develop and strengthen victim services in such cases.

The minimum grant award is $5,000 and there is no required match. Applications are due before December 21, 2009. TCFV is available to provide technical assistance regarding the issue areas targeted for this funding. Please visit our Grant Applications page for more details and for contact information.

VICTORIA, Texas — A $2 million domestic violence facility expected to open next year in Victoria isn’t just about helping people.

The Women’s Crisis Center in Victoria is adding a pet shelter.

Jo Janssen with Mid-Coast Family Services says the organization has had victims of domestic violence refuse to seek shelter because there were no accommodations for their pets.

Janssen says some people who left pets behind have told horror stories of animal abuse and death. She says it is “terribly traumatic for these victims and leaves horrible scars, especially on the children.”

Chron.com

by NOELLE NEWTON / KVUE NEWS

A study released Tuesday shows domestic violence attacks have risen 27 percent this year. Victim advocates hope a new law will help turn that around.

The Texas Council on Family Violence puts out a list every year of those killed by someone they once loved.  Each has a tragic story like Irene Colunga of Austin. She was shot in the throat by an ex-boyfriend in 2002.

Travis County Assistant District Attorney Dana Nelson was in the midst of helping Colunga through an assault by the same man at the time of her death.

“There are lots of aspects about working on family violence that are really difficult,” Nelson said.

Kvue.com