Washington County proclaims October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month; local nonprofit shares survivor testimony

The Washington County Commissioner's Court on Oct. 21 unanimously approved a proclamation designating October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the county.

The proclamation recognizes domestic violence as a crime affecting victims and communities and pledges continued public education, prevention and supportive services. The court approved the proclamation by voice vote after reading its text aloud.

The announcement was followed by a presentation from a representative of Focusing Families, who read a survivor’s account titled “I got flowers today” and introduced a “red lady” memorial representing a local homicide victim, Angie Diaz. The speaker said Focusing Families provides services to survivors and serves Washington, Waller, northwest Harris, Austin and Grimes counties.

Pastor Billy Sutherland gave the invocation before the proclamation was read and urged continued community attention to the problem. After the presentation, the court invited attendees to wear purple during October and to post photos to the nonprofit’s Facebook page to raise awareness.

The reading included a narrative that described repeated abuse culminating in a homicide; the speaker identified a recent victim, Angie Diaz, and said deputies found her residence after the killing in Waller County on Jan. 11, 2023. The presenter asked the court and community to continue supporting victims and survivors through services and awareness efforts.

The proclamation’s text calls on citizens, government officials, law enforcement, health-care professionals, social-service providers, educators, clergy and community leaders to work together to end domestic violence and to support victims’ rights to safety and dignity.

The court’s action was a routine proclamation; there was no ordinance, funding allocation or formal program adoption tied to the vote.

A county photograph opportunity followed the vote and presentation.