Atascosa County proclaims October Domestic Violence Awareness Month after Safer Path report

The Atascosa County Commissioners Court on Oct. 15 approved a proclamation declaring October 2024 Domestic Violence Awareness Month after a presentation from Safer Path Family Violence Shelter.

Andrea Rapheal of Safer Path told the court that from Aug. 2023 to Aug. 2024 the organization provided 14,703 services, including nearly 4,000 shelter stays split roughly between about 2,000 adults and about 2,000 children. Rapheal said the shelter answered 2,135 hotline calls in the same period and served a little over 1,000 distinct clients.

“I appreciate you coming and speaking to that,” County Judge said, thanking Safer Path for organizing a recently held vigil and community outreach. Rapheal noted local efforts such as signage reading “no excuse for abuse” in businesses and a fundraising event, Night Out with Safer Path, scheduled for Oct. 26 at the Atascosa County Show Barn.

The county read and discussed a proclamation that cites the statistic cited in the presentation and urges citizens to participate in awareness activities and support local providers. Commissioner Gillespie moved to adopt the proclamation; Commissioner Riley seconded. The court recorded the motion as carrying on the floor vote noted in the transcript (three in favor, one opposed). No further action beyond adoption was recorded.

The proclamation and the Safer Path presentation place the issue on the county's public calendar: Safer Path’s hotline and shelter services will continue to operate and the group encouraged residents to wear purple in October to raise awareness. The court took a photo with shelter representatives following the vote.

The county did not provide further budgetary action at the meeting tied to the proclamation; Safer Path representatives referenced ongoing fundraising to support services.