Atascosa County proclaims October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month; local shelter outlines service numbers

Atascosa County commissioners on Oct. 14 approved a proclamation designating October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and urged residents to participate in local awareness events.

The proclamation, presented by county staff, cited statewide and local concerns about intimate-partner violence and singled out Safer Path Family Violence Shelter for its services to victims. Commissioners voted to approve the proclamation, with Commissioner Bowen recorded as seconding the motion.

Why it matters: County officials said the proclamation is intended to raise public awareness and to encourage community support for victim services and prevention programs.

Safer Path representatives told the court about the shelter’s recent caseload and outreach. A Safer Path speaker said the organization recorded 4,084 shelter stays last year, including 1,659 adults and 2,425 children, and that it answered about 1,500 hotline calls. The group also reported providing roughly 24,000 to 25,000 direct services during the year, figures the presenters said reflect the full range of free assistance the shelter offers. Andrea Rathmell of Safer Path described trainings the shelter has provided to local deputies and invited county officials to a community vigil and other events.

Commissioners and presenters urged residents to support Safer Path, with one commissioner noting the shelter ‘‘is struggling right now with financial’’ shortfalls caused by recent shutdowns and asking attendees to consider donations.

The proclamation was read into the minutes and commissioners invited Safer Path representatives to make a brief presentation and take a photo following the vote. The proclamation language included references to the prevalence of domestic violence in Texas and the county’s commitment to increase awareness and support victim-service organizations.

The court scheduled a community vigil and other awareness events announced by Safer Path; the shelter encouraged public attendance and offered follow-up contacts for anyone seeking services.

Ending: The proclamation passed by voice vote; commissioners closed the item after thanking the presenters and posing for a commemorative photograph.