Atascosa County proclaims October Domestic Violence Awareness Month, honors Safer Path shelter

Atascosa County Commissioners Court on Oct. 14, 2025, approved a proclamation designating October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and invited residents to participate in related events.

Safer Path Family Violence Shelter representatives presented to the court and described the organization’s work. A Safer Path speaker said the shelter recorded 4,084 shelter stays last year, including 1,659 adults and 2,425 children; the speaker said staff provided about 24,000 distinct services and served roughly 1,204 clients. Safer Path invited the court and public to a Shine a Light vigil on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m.

Presiding court staff read the proclamation into the minutes, citing statewide statistics and local impacts. The proclamation text noted that about one in three Texans experience domestic violence in their lifetimes, and it urged citizens to participate in programs sponsored by Safer Path and other community organizations. The court moved, seconded and approved the proclamation unanimously.

The court also heard that Safer Path has delivered trainings for first responders, including the county sheriff’s office, and emphasized the role of believing survivors and connecting them to safety and services. Rhonda Williamson, identified in the presentation as the shelter’s executive director, was present for the recognition.

The court’s action is ceremonial and does not create new county programs or funding; Safer Path representatives asked the public and local officials to increase awareness and support for shelter operations and fundraising given financial strains noted in the presentation.