The most identifiable and quantitative effects of the economic recession are loss of employment and loss of income. The staggering numbers are often reported by unemployment agencies and workforce commissions across the country.

But what those numbers do not show are the unperceived effects that monetary struggles bring to families. At Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM), a non-profit organization based in northwest Houston that serves low income families, perhaps the most frightening numbers increase is that of family violence cases.

According to Donna Antsberg of NAM’s Family Violence Center, since January 2010, the organization has seen a dramatic increase in domestic violence calls. Antsberg said calls rates have had a “dramatic increase” from an average of 500 to 600 per month to as many as 1,000.

Antsberg believes one of the primary reasons is the economic situation and the effects it has on local families who often already struggle to make ends meet.

“I think there are many reasons for it,” she said, “part of it being the economy, people having a general sense of not knowing where their finances are going and staying unemployed. That creates a tremendous amount of stress.”

What is already understood, Antsberg said, is that financial issues are already one of the greatest causes of stress in a marriage.

“But what we see is an increase in violence,” she added. “That has a lot to do with unhealthy coping skills or the family situation.”

Many factors, Antsberg explained, lead to family violence and economic worries only add fuel to the fire.

“It’s never just one element,” she said, “but that (the economy) has as much a way of speeding things along as any variable.”

Antsberg points to “family of origin” issues that have “taken place within the family dynamic for several generations.”

“Because we do have a tendency to gravitate to people who remind us of our caregivers,” she added.

The Family Violence Center at NAM is just one of many programs the organization offers. Antsberg explained that while NAM is not a residential facility or shelter, they work closely with shelters in the area and provide support and intervention services.

“We get calls from different parts of the country from people who want to come to Houston, or just come to a big city and disappear,” she said. “Unfortunately, today there is no disappearing.”

NAM offers a variety of services to those who are hoping to escape a violent family situation.

“The first message we want them to understand is that everything we do is confidential,” Antsberg said. “We will recommend getting law enforcement involved, getting a protective order, or just talk to see if it fits domestic violence.”

With summer approaching, Antsberg expects the call volume at NAM to increase even more, since the time of year is approaching when students are not in school and families who want to move can do so more easily.

“But it is also more difficult to get into a shelter because we have an increase in our numbers,” she said.

NAM has a 24-hour family violence hotline, 281-885-4673, or toll free at 1-888-750-4673. All services provided by NAM are free. For more information, visit namonline.org.

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