The persistence of the current COVID-19 pandemic makes now a critical time for the agency to raise funds to help support all Texans who are trying to leave abusive situations. Prolonged stressors such as job loss, housing instability, and intensified conflict from the stress of stay-at-home orders have all been attributed to domestic violence increases.

AUSTIN, Texas - Oct. 6, 2021 - PRLog -- Texas Advocacy Project is hosting the 15th annual Black & White Ball, presented by Accenture at the Austin Marriott Downtown on Friday, October 22 at 7 PM.  Established in 1982 by a group of young lawyers, Texas Advocacy Project (TAP) serves the entire state of Texas by providing free legal, prevention, and educational services proven to break the cycle of violence and get victims to safety. The Black & White Ball serves as the agency's largest fundraiser of the year and provides an opportunity to honor community leaders who embody their mission to end domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Texas.

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Black & White Ball was a virtual event. This year, Texas Advocacy Project is pleased to bring back the event with a limited number of supporters in person.

The persistence of the current COVID-19 pandemic makes now a critical time for the agency to raise funds to help support all Texans who are trying to leave abusive situations. Prolonged stressors such as job loss, housing instability, and intensified conflict from the stress of stay-at-home orders have all been attributed to domestic violence increases.

Heather Bellino, CEO of Texas Advocacy Project explains, "Texas Advocacy Project has not just seen an increase in intimate partner violence, we have seen an increase in high risk cases. Those are cases with extreme violence, strangulation, stalking, and/or the presence of a firearm. We know these victims are at an increased risk of homicide, so we provide them a higher level of service. This can be a strain on both resources and staff mental health."

In a TIME Magazine article, domestic violence was labeled a 'pandemic within the COVID-19 pandemic,' because domestic violence statistics spiked around the world starting in January 2020. In the United States, police departments reported "increases in cities around the country: for example, 18% in San Antonio, 22% in Portland, and 10% in New York City, according to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

One study in the journal Radiology reports that at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, radiology scans and superficial wounds consistent with domestic abuse from March 11 to May 3 of this year [2021] exceeded the totals for the same period in 2018 and 2019 combined."

Based on a review of 12 U.S. studies, most of which included data from multiple cities, domestic violence incidents increased 8.1% after jurisdictions imposed pandemic-related lockdown orders in 2020.

"As you can see from these alarming statistics, the work we do at TAP is life-changing and more crucial than ever before," says Bellino.  "We rely on community support in order to provide free legal services to those who need it most - people like Madison, our 2021 Courage Award Winner who fought to get justice after being assaulted on her college campus. Our hope is that by returning to an in person Black & White Ball, we will help to maximize the success of our efforts and raise more funds to meet the growing needs..." Bellino adds.

2021 Award Honorees: The Courage Award will be presented to Madison, a former client who has demonstrated the courage to leave their abuser and create a healthy, productive, and secure life. The Vision Award will be presented to Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston, Texas, a leader committed to ending power- based violence in Texas. The Generosity of Spirit Award will be presented to Andrew Weber, an individual who has significantly impacted Texas Advocacy Project through volunteerism or fundraising.

2021 Sponsors of the Black & White Ball: Accenture, Sarah & James Shrewsbury, The Schmitz Family, Cantilo & Bennett, LLP, Kelly Hart and Hallman LLP, Ranger Excavating, The Piazza Center for Plastic Surgery & Advanced Skincare, Leta A. Dorsett, Dorsett Johnson, LLP, Suzanne & Pat Pierson, Spinelli Residential Group, King & Spalding LLP, Sheri Hunter, and pH Partners LLC.

How to help: Sponsor, attend, or make a tax-deductible gift to the Black & White Ball at www.texasadvocacyproject.org/black-white-ball.

About Texas Advocacy Project, Inc.
The mission of Texas Advocacy Project is to end domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Texas. TAP empowers survivors through free legal services and access to the justice system, and advances prevention through public outreach and education. In 2020, TAP provided legal services in 4,767 cases where the clients were aged 12 to 88 years old. All told, we served over 10,106 Texans in 173 counties. If you or someone you know needs help, call 800-374-HOPE.