We Want to Hear from You!

We are hosting a Listening Project to learn more about what the community thinks about issues of violence and abuse.

Why

Our goal is to prevent interpersonal violence and we want to incorporate the opinions of the community in the wake of the #metoo movement as we reach for that goal.

What

The intent of the project is to facilitate a better understanding of our community’s perceptions regarding family violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Through these one-on-one interviews, we hope to uncover ‘thought trends’ that will give insight and guidance on how we may better work together in a meaningful and effective way to create a community free of violence. Our plan is to listen to a minimum of 150 individuals from a diversity of populations, representative of every citizen in Hays and Caldwell counties.

Who

A member of either the HCWC staff, board or a trained volunteer will conduct the interviews. You will be asked a series of predetermined questions and your responses will be captured in writing by the interviewer. There are absolutely no “wrong” answers and you are encouraged to be open and honest with your responses.

Where

Interviews will take place in a location convenient for both you and the interviewer.

When

The interview should take no more than an hour and together you and your interviewer will determine what date and time work best for your schedules.

Questions We Plan to Ask

Do you mind telling me your age? Gender? Race and/or Ethnicity?
What is your zip code where you live?
Do you know anyone who has been a victim of family violence? Sexual assault? Child abuse?
There have been many narratives by people in the media alleging past sexual abuse. How has all of this news coverage affected you?
Why do you think people didn’t come forward in the past?
What do you think is driving people to disclose abuse now?
Do you find it hard to believe some of the stories you have heard alleging abuse? Why or why not?
How likely do you think it is that victims are lying about the abuse?
Have you felt discriminated against or marginalized in the last two years?
Have you talked about these issues with others? If so, who?
Have your views about abuse changed in the last two years? If so, how?
Have any of your actions changed? If so, how?
What factors contribute to sexual and family violence in our community?
Do you think there are conditions in abusers lives that play a part in their decision to abuse someone? If so, what are they?
Can you think of anything that can be done for an abuser that would help them make the choice NOT to commit abuse?
What would be the most effective deterrent that would stop a perpetrator from continuing to abuse?
If you can imagine our community free of violence, and where everyone is safe at home and in the community, what would that look like? What would be different than what you see today?
What is something you would be excited to see HCWC do to try to prevent these forms of violence from happening in the first place?
Is there anything you would like to add?