The full story
The CCDV was created in 2019 by special order signed by Judge Peter Sakai with the objective of working collaboratively to find ways of preventing and intervening in domestic violence and its lasting impacts.
The cumulative report summarizes the commission’s work performed from 2019 through 2023. Commission officials said highlights include:
- The San Antonio Police Department transitioning to a system that seeks to minimize retraumatization associated with the criminal justice process by providing support through crisis advocates and service providers, empowering survivors by keeping them engaged throughout the process, and supporting victims and their families for as long as needed
- Establishing Bexar County’s first civil family violence prevention program, which provides rehabilitative, wraparound support services to victims, people who use harm and their children; and compliance services for court orders, including those affecting prohibitions of firearm possession
- Launching a domestic violence navigation hotline that connects the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office to a 24/7 call center to assess a survivor’s level of risk for serious harm or death and link them with available resources
- Developing a community-wide domestic violence awareness communications campaign by partnering with city, business and community stakeholders to develop public service announcements, which aired on local TV stations and reached 63,800-plus residents, and distribute more than 10,000 decals to restaurants, businesses, government agencies and community organizations to help people quickly identify local domestic violence intervention and support services
The commission also unveiled a strategic plan, which was adopted by CCDV members in December and will be implemented through 2028. Key plan points include:
- Improving data acquisition, sharing and use
- Implementing an ongoing comprehensive communications campaign and harnessing social media
- Incorporating education on healthy relationships early in life
Monique Diaz, CCDV co-chair and district court judge, said the report puts a spotlight on the commission’s accomplishments and the efforts to further help prevent family violence.
“From the start, the CCDV has focused on bringing together stakeholders across every sector of the family violence system to improve our community’s collective action,” Diaz said in a statement. “This report highlights the importance of these partnerships and showcases the work the CCDV and its stakeholders have accomplished together over the last five years, such as improving the protective order process, expanding capacity for legal services and creating a domestic violence navigation line.”
City officials urged anyone experiencing domestic violence to call the Family Violence Prevention Services 24/7 hotline at 210-733-8810 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In an emergency, call or text 911.
