Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Domestic Violence topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Austin proclaims October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month; advocates urge coordinated services
Summary
The City of Austin proclaimed October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Speakers described the intersection of domestic violence with housing, employment and health systems and emphasized survivor‑centered coordination.
Austin City Council on Sept. 25 proclaimed October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and heard from service providers about the need for trauma‑informed, coordinated responses to support survivors.
Council member José Velázquez read a proclamation noting the wide-ranging impacts of intimate‑partner violence and the intersections with housing instability, employment barriers and behavioral health. Velázquez said the city urges the community to “embrace the many cultural ways we can heal from violence and oppression, hold space for survivors, and center those most marginalized in all of our efforts to end domestic violence.”
Shelley Ryan, who identified herself as a survivor and two‑decades‑long system practitioner, said “Domestic violence isn't just a safety issue. It's an everything issue,” describing how survivors often must navigate multiple agencies and appointments—sometimes as many as 20—while trying to maintain safety and stability for their families. Ryan and Velázquez emphasized programs in Travis County such as the Domestic Violence High Risk Team and community services including Safe Alliance and peer‑support and restorative programs.
Speakers called for service coordination, survivor‑centered safety planning and culturally responsive supports, and highlighted local initiatives such as the Family Justice Center model and Travis County’s high‑risk team. The event was ceremonial; no legislative or budgetary action was taken at the proclamation presentation.
