The administration building at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph is traditionally bathed in purple light in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Tyler McQuiston/Tyler McQuiston / U.S. Air Force
San Antonio landmarks are glowing purple as officials and advocates look for ways to protect victims of domestic violence.
Bexar County Commissioners Court issued a proclamation Tuesday recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, calling family violence a “serious and pervasive issue” that “requires our collective commitment to supporting survivors, strengthening families, promoting healthy relationships and creating communities where future generations can experience safety, healing, resilience and hope.”
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The Alamodome, Tower of the Americas, Bexar County Courthouse and other public buildings are lit purple during Domestic Violence Awareness Month as part of Purple Porch SA. The initiative encourages residents and businesses to light their buildings purple in honor of survivors and victims.
Last year, 28 people died as a result of family violence, including five children, according to new data released by the city-county Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence. The commission was formed in 2019 to address a rise in domestic violence-related deaths.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has recorded 10 domestic violence fatalities this year, two of them in October, according to Sheriff Javier Salazar. The number does not include violent deaths investigated by the San Antonio Police Department, which could not provide a year-to-date total.
Still, officials are hopeful that survivors are becoming more aware of the resources available to them.
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Civil District Judge Monique Diaz, who co-chairs the domestic violence commission, told commissioners court that calls to 211 for domestic violence resources nearly doubled last year. Visits to a resource website posted in San Antonio restrooms rose by 34%.
“We believe that more people are coming out to ask for help because they are having more confidence in the system and they know that the help is there,” Diaz said.
‘Evidence is on the victim’s body’
In at least four domestic violence killings reported this year, law enforcement had previously responded to reports of abuse involving the same victim. The deaths have prompted the domestic violence commission to take a deeper look at how civil and criminal courts handle family violence cases.
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In July, Ana Rennie, 55, was shot and killed by her husband, Robert Rennie, 58, who then died by suicide at their Von Ormy home. The sheriff’s office had responded to the home 14 times in the years leading up to the murder-suicide. One of those calls resulted in Robert Rennie’s arrest on a family violence charge, but prosecutors dismissed the case after Ana Rennie refused to testify.
“The problem was occurring right in front of our eyes,” said Marta Pelaez, CEO of Family Violence Prevention Services, which runs the city’s Battered Women and Children’s Shelter and works closely with the domestic violence commission.
“We do not know how many of the domestic violence fatalities that occurred may be related to some cases that were dismissed,” Pelaez told commissioners court. “That would be a very sad thing to uncover in the times to come.”
About 75% of misdemeanor family violence cases and 81% of felony family violence cases filed by the district attorney’s office last year resulted in a conviction, an acquittal or in pretrial diversion, a form of probation, according to the data.
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But prosecutors struggle to gather enough evidence to bring charges in cases where victims are not willing to testify. Attorneys and advocates say it is common for victims to be threatened by their abuser into signing an affidavit of non-prosecution, a document stating that they do not wish to press charges.
Assistant District Attorney Daryl Harris, chief of the family violence division, told commissioners court that prosecutors have gained victims’ trust and cooperation by providing immediate access to liaisons, workers who provide support throughout the legal process.
He said Bexar County’s rate of dismissal in domestic violence cases is consistent with other Texas counties.
“The evidence is on the victim’s body and her experience,” Harris said. “If I can’t find ways to get that before (a) trier of fact, at and when the time I need it, then we ultimately have no choice.”
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The issue has become a focus of district attorney candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Democrat Luz Elena Chapa, a former Fourth Court of Appeals justice, has pledged to stop accepting affidavits of non-prosecution if elected. She has pushed for evidence-based prosecution, which relies on physical evidence such as 911 recordings, crime scene photos and medical records as opposed to victim testimony.
“Some of the most successful cases are when the victim does not participate because it’s evidence-led,” Chapa said during a recent panel discussion on domestic violence. “I’m highly encouraged that that will become the norm in Bexar County.”
READ MORE: Why Bexar County’s DA candidates are avoiding partisan politics
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The district attorney’s office is also facing a felony case backlog, which independent candidate Jason Wolff has said he will address in part by dismissing cases where victims have said they don’t want to testify.
Republican candidate Ashley Foster has said that cases should not be dismissed automatically if a victim is not cooperative. She cited trauma and fear of retaliation as reasons why they may not want to testify.
How to get help
Family Violence Prevention Services operates the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter at 7911 Broadway, where survivors can access support groups, legal help and housing assistance. Anyone affected by domestic violence can contact the organization 24/7 by calling 210-733-8810 or visiting its website.
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If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 988 or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In Bexar County, the Center for Health Care Services also operates a 24-hour crisis and substance use helpline at 1-800-316-9241 or 210-223-7233.