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Waller County proclaims October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month after survivor presentation
Summary
The commissioners declared October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month and heard a presentation from Focus on Families that included a survivor narrative and information about local services and offender-intervention programs. The court approved the proclamation by voice/hand vote and encouraged public awareness and referrals to local support.
Waller County commissioners on Oct. 29 adopted a proclamation designating October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and received a presentation from Focus on Families describing services for survivors and prevention efforts.
A representative of Focus on Families read a survivor narrative and displayed a symbolic "red lady" representing victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence. The presenter said the organization provides services across five surrounding counties (Waller County, northwest Harris County, Austin County, Grimes County and Washington County) and operates survivor supports and community programs including holiday assistance and a resale shop that funds services. The presenter also described a 24-week partner intervention program (PIP) for people convicted or referred by probation that staff said reduces reoffending when completed.
During public comment, Tim Junick, who said he serves on an appraisal board and later participated in item 64 discussion, also addressed commissioners earlier in the meeting; however the domestic-violence proclamation and Focus on Families presentation were separate agenda items. The court read the proclamation into the record and commissioners Beckendorf and Jones moved and seconded the proclamation; the court then approved the proclamation by voice/hand vote.
Why it matters: county officials described domestic violence as a communitywide problem affecting victims, children and families and urged residents to report suspected abuse and use local resources. Commissioners praised Focus on Families'work and noted the group's community programs (Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas adopt-a-family lists and an offender-intervention referral pathway).
Quotes from the meeting: during her presentation the Focus on Families representative read parts of a survivor narrative that began, "I got flowers today," and described the symbolic red lady memorial used by the organization to highlight victims lost to domestic violence, including a recently cited case that the presenter identified by name in the narrative.
Outcome and follow-up: the proclamation was adopted by the court during the meeting. Commissioners encouraged residents to access Focus on Families programs, called for community awareness, and thanked volunteers and staff for providing survivor services.
