Women's Protective Services, A Community Partner Since 1982

CELEBRATING WOMEN'S PROTECTIVE SERVICES

wps giftSupporting Survivors and Preventing Sexual Violence

Women's Protective Services of Lubbock (WPS) became a Community Partner in 1982 when we partnered with the organization to bring together community resources to prevent family violence and protect its victims. WPS specializes in advocacy for women, men, and children who have experienced domestic violence. All services provided at WPS are free and confidential. 

The organization's purpose is to provide a safe environment for victims, offer community education, prevention, rehabilitation of violent family members, encourage transition to self-sufficiency, and to advocate for the prevention and elimination of family violence.

 

A History of Protecting Victims of Family Violence

In 1978, a small group of concerned Lubbock citizens came together to confront the local problem of domestic violence. They began "sheltering" individuals in crisis in motel rooms and occasionally their own homes. If the need arose and they were able to scrape up enough money, they were able to provide bus tickets for battered women to leave town for further safety. In 1979, United Way's Community Planning Council assisted with a feasibility study to assess the need in Lubbock for services for victims of domestic abuse. The council found that there was a rising need in the Lubbock area.

In 1980, the Junior League of Lubbock used its resources to help WPS grow. Along with providing numerous volunteers, they furnished salaries for two positions: an Executive Director and a Shelter Supervisor. At that time, the Interethnic Parish of Methodist Churches loaned WPS a 3-bedroom home to use as a shelter. A young couple lived there, unsalaried, to manage the house and whatever needs arose. This home was located where Ramirez Elementary now stands.

By 1982, when WPS approached United Way about becoming a partner, calls from victims and the number of individuals sheltered more than tripled with the agency receiving 420 calls, sheltering 142 women, and sheltering 187 children in 1981. From August 1979 through June 1980, the organization received 131 calls and sheltered 32 women and 47 children. 

Through generous donations and a successful capital campaign, WPS moved into its current location on May 17, 1999. This facility includes 24 apartments with beds for 204 women and children. It was designed with cooperative living in mind. Each woman has access to laundry facilities, a free clinic, children's playrooms, group counseling rooms, individual counseling, group meetings, legal services, and much more. The goal of this living arrangement, beyond safety, is to help the women build self-sufficiency, independence, and freedom. All of these basic human skills are all too often stripped away from victims by oppressive abusers.

 

WPS Today

Domestic violence and family violence remain a significant issue on the South Plains with Lubbock County consistently having one of the highest rates of family violence in the state. Throughout 2020, WPS kept its doors open and continued supporting survivors and their children.

Beyond the shelter program, WPS provides intervention programs for batterers, school and community education programs, and other services. The organization serves a 12-county area.

Learn more about WPS and its mission at https://www.wpslubbock.org/