Become an ally in Success
Don't forget to register to become an Ally in Success.
As an Ally, you will be a leader in our community, advocating for domestic and sexual violence victims, armed with education materials to inform your school of ways to not only recognize victims, but to help them, too.

victims and EDUCATION
Too many children experience domestic or sexual violence. Knowing the signs of abuse could possibly help identify a victim and provide the resources necessary to remove the violence from a child's life.
leaders in education
Teachers wield incredible influence over future generations. They are in a position to educate our youth about healthy relationships, as well as provide resources to students and their families who may suffer from dating/domestic or sexual violence. Using age-appropriate materials, educators are able to encourage students to form healthy relationships, recognize abusive behaviors and create an environment free from sexual harassment and disrespect.
Types of abuse

Childhood Domestic Violence - when a child grows up in a home where one adult is abusive towards another in the home.
Examples: acting out, withdrawal, loss of ability to concentrate and sadness.
Physical Abuse - deliberate aggressive actions on the child that inflict pain.
Examples: wounds, bruises, burns, and sore muscles.
Psychological Abuse - behaviors/comments toward children that cause mental anguish or deficits. It is also termed 'emotional abuse' because damage caused to one's mental state inevitably creates emotional damage.
Examples: frequent yelling, withholding kindness or affection, prolonged periods of silence, and harsh jokes.
Sexual Abuse - any type of behavior toward a child that is intended for an offender's sexual stimulation. Abuse includes one isolated event as well as incidences that go on for years.
Examples: fondling, forced sexual acts, or indecent physical exposure.
Neglect - a deficit in meeting a child's basic needs, including the failure to provide adequate health care, supervision, clothing, nutrition, housing as well as their physical, emotional, social, educational and safety needs.
Examples: poor health or weight gain, taking food or money without permission, poor school attendance, eating a lot in one sitting or hiding food.

Signs that a child may be a victim of abuse
A child who's being abused may feel guilty, ashamed or confused. He or she may be afraid to tell anyone about the abuse, especially if the abuser is a parent, other relative or family friend. In fact, the child may have an apparent fear of parents, adult caregivers or family friends. That's why it's vital to watch for red flags, such as:
- Withdrawal from friends or usual activities
- Changes in behavior — such as aggression, anger, hostility or hyperactivity — or changes in school performance
- Depression, anxiety or unusual fears or a sudden loss of self-confidence
- An apparent lack of supervision
- Frequent absences from school or reluctance to ride the school bus
- Reluctance to leave school activities, as if he or she doesn't want to go home
- Attempts at running away
- Rebellious or defiant behavior
- Attempts at suicide
- Sexual behavior or knowledge that's inappropriate for the child's age
- Blood in the child's underwear
- Delayed or inappropriate emotional development
- Loss of self-confidence or self-esteem
- Social withdrawal or a loss of interest or enthusiasm


how hope alliance can help educators
Hope Alliance provides training for both educators and students around domestic and sexual violence.
PROJECT EMPOWERMENT - Hope Alliance's violence prevention curriculum, is available to Williamson County students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. PROJECT EMPOWERMENT'S goal is to change attitudes, behaviors and norms that can lead to violence and develop assets in youth that help them grow up healthy, caring and responsible. The curriculum demonstrates the use of positive messages in place of unhealthy and negative messages. Children are taught through interactive games, thought-provoking discussion and community projects.
The curriculum is varied to be age appropriate and the program is held once a week over 8-10 weeks.
Hope Alliance also provides training to educators on childhood domestic violence and sexual assault. Trainings are available for training days, PTA groups and other meetings.
Downloadable handouts

Subscribe To Our Newsletter
To get program updates, client success stories and event notifications sign up for our e-newsletter