A new state law in Texas now allows victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to find housing away from their abusers even if it means breaking their lease according to an article on NewsWest9.com.
According to Dana Phelps Family Support Services Board Member and an attorney, "Now you are no longer responsible for the lease. The victim of domestic violence can move out, even if it is someone she has just dated and has beat on her or is stalking her. She can break the lease as long as she's got that protective order.”
The law also has fines if landlords refuse to let the victim out of the lease...they can be fined up to $500 and a month’s rent.
The article further quotes Family Violence Shelter Coordinator Ursela Demerson as saying "Sometimes they use that as an excuse or a barrier for them not to leave the situation - now they can leave without having to worry about paying their rent, they can live in a safe environment with their children and also victims of sexual assault.” Ms. Demerson also says, “But it depends on the victim and how ready they are to leave the situation.”
There is hope and help available. You can live in an abuse-free environment; you don't have to be beaten every day. You don't have to be a victim if you don't want to be, the choice is yours," added Demerson.
I say BRAVO for the new law. The only area I question is that fact the victim has a choice to leave. Yes the new law says you go somewhere else and don’t worry about the old lease. But do these victims have the finances to pay for their housing? Many times a woman feels she cannot leave as her abuser has complete economic control. The abuser may be the wage earner not the victim. The abuser may not allow the victim access to bank accounts. The abuser may not allow the victim to work and have money of her own.
So unless the victim has the financial ability to pay for housing and the other expenses she may still feel there is no way out!
Yes she can go to a shelter but that is not a long term solution she still needs to be able to pay for her housing, food and other routine expenses.
You can read the entire story at http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=11818900.
.jpg)
Nancy Salamone’s career and personal accomplishments are vast and varied. For more than three decades Nancy has shown extraordinary leadership during her business career and through her personal endeavors. Her accomplishments include 25 years as an executive for major Wall Street financial services companies, her devotion to “giving back” through her non-profit work, her teaching and her visionary creation of “The Business of Me”, a curriculum that teaches financial self-sufficiency to women survivors of domestic violence.
Write to me at nancy(@)thebusinessofme.com or for general information write to info(@)thebusinessofme.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
