ROUND ROCK, Texas — Last year, domestic violence in Texas claimed the highest number of women in more than a decade.
Some 157 women were killed statewide in domestic violence situations, a 20 percent increase over 2014.
Every year, the Texas Council on Family Violence releases a report in memory of the women killed in the state over the previous year.
The report was released at an event in Round Rock on Monday to spotlight the local increase in domestic violence related deaths.
Last year,Travis, Bastrop and Williamson counties all saw an increase in women killed by their male partners.
One victim shared her story.
"And I'll never forget, the darkness in his eyes on that day. And I thought, 'Today is the day he's going to kill me.' And I jumped up and ran as fast as I could. I grabbed my son and ran down the street,” said Suzanne, a domestic violence survivor.
You can help fight the trend by supporting your local women's shelters. They often are in need of donations and volunteers.
In Austin, two of the bigger shelters for women are the Hope Alliance and Safe Place.
In San Antonio, the Salvation Army Emergency Women & Children Shelter and the Seton Home For Pregnant Women.
To see a full list of nationwide shelter or for additional ways to help, visit womenshelters.org.