Content Warning: This article discusses domestic violence. If you are in distress and need someone to talk to, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text “Start” to 88788.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Central Texas has seen three deadly domestic violence incidents over the course of 10 days. They happened in Cedar Park, Elgin and Austin, according to officials.
The first happened Feb. 2 in Cedar Park. Police have not released the names of those involved there. The second happened Tuesday in Elgin. There, Charles and Sirley Cunningham were found dead inside of a home. Police called this a tragic case of domestic violence and a murder suicide. In southwest Austin, an early morning fire pivoted to a homicide investigation when police found two people dead inside an apartment at the Pearl Lantana complex on Rialto Boulevard. Police say Daniel Sanchez shot and killed his wife Kayla, lit the apartment on fire and killed himself.
Although we do not know the circumstances about these cases and what led up to those final moments, there are warning signs to look for, which also opens the door for a conversation about the intricacies of domestic violence. KXAN’s Brianna Hollis spoke with the Heather Bellino, head of the Texas Advocacy Project, which is an organization that provides free legal resources to assault survivors.
Read a transcription of the interview below, or watch in the video player above. Some responses have been edited for clarity.
Brianna Hollis: What are some of the warning signs that cases may escalate to this point?
Heather Bellino: Well, honestly, we know that nobody falls in love with their batterer, right? That’s not who you have your romantic moments with, who you want to spend the rest of your life with. They fall in love with the person that they think that they can be happy with. But there are signs and things that happen over a period of time that might let you know that this is escalating and that the behavior is not good. Now, that being said, I want to be very careful not to blame the victims, because there is the thought process that if I just saw the warning signs, then this would not have happened. But there are moments where you can tell that somebody is trying to exert power and control, because that’s what all abuse is about. It’s about power, control over another person. So, that might come in the form of slow isolation from your family and your friends. Oftentimes it comes in the form of belittling, and then you lose your self- esteem. If you think that you have no value, it’s easier for somebody to take control over you. And that is when resources like Texas Advocacy Project want to help. There are shelters in your area that want to help. There are coordinated community responses that can help you get out.
Hollis: What about warning signs for friends or family or people kind of adjacent to these situations?
Bellino: So, if you have a friend who you think might be being harmed, you might think that because you’ve seen some warning signs. Maybe you used to talk every single day, and now, for some reason, they’re not available to you as often. Maybe you would see them very often, and now it’s limited your access to your friend, and that’s probably because some isolation is occurring. So, it is okay to say to a friend, I’m worried about you, and if you are also worried about you and you need help, I’m here for you. No judgment.
