SAN ANTONIO \u2013 When someone charged with domestic violence is released from jail or prison, a survivor\u2019s life can be in danger. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s why notification systems matter. KSAT\u2019s Courtney Friedman is looking into that notification process.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurvivors deserve laws that reflect the realities of domestic violence, and communities deserve release procedures that are enforced, not merely promised on paper,\u201d said an abuse survivor who almost lost her life months ago.<\/p>\n
The survivor and her baby made it to the Battered Women and Children\u2019s Shelter in San Antonio.<\/p>\n
While she is hiding her identity for their safety, she wants her ideas to be heard so future victims can be kept safer. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe notification system for notifying victims of the release, that is one of our biggest gaps that we need to address,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know of a very specific case, perhaps three years ago. The perpetrator was allowed to bond out and went from jail directly to the home to kill the victim,\u201d said Family Violence Prevention Services CEO Marta Pelaez. <\/p>\n
Since then, Pelaez said notification systems have been strengthened, and a new law was just passed. However, she still has issues with both. <\/p>\n
House Bill 2429<\/a> went into effect in September 2025.<\/p>\n It mandates a \u201ccooling off period\u201d for people arrested and jailed for domestic violence charges, meaning when they bond out, they still cannot be released for a minimum of four hours.<\/p>\n \u201cFour hours is not enough for anybody. Can you be ready to leave your house at 2 o\u2019clock in the morning? Whatever hour of the day? Children in schools? In the hospital because the last battering incident?\u201d Pelaez said. <\/p>\n The law states a magistrate can write an order to extend that to up to 24 or even 48 hours, if they believe \u201cthere is probable cause to believe the violence will continue if the person is immediately released.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cDomestic violence is, by definition, a pattern of progressive behaviors,\u201d Pelaez said. \u201cWe have to commonsensically believe that this guy is very upset and he\u2019s blaming the victim for having been arrested. What is he going to do when he gets out? Maybe he won\u2019t do anything, but maybe he will, as experience has proven. We cannot leave things to chance when a life is in the midst of it.\u201d <\/p>\n The survivor KSAT spoke to at the shelter signed up correctly for the state\u2019s notification system, IVSS. While an alert was sent before her abuser\u2019s release, she said it came in the wrong form, and she missed it. <\/p>\n \u201cI was supposed to receive a text notification or phone call. I did not receive those,\u201d she said. \u201cI received an email notification, which it was sent within hours of release, but I did not see until almost midnight that same day. If I hadn\u2019t been in a safe place, I could have been in all manner of danger.\u201d<\/p>\n Pelaez said the IVSS alerts about offender release are vague and place the responsibility on a scared and scrambling victim.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is the responsibility of the victim to call the detention center with a code that she is given to ask, \u2018When is so and so going to be released?\u2019 \u2018Not yet, ma\u2019am. Call later,\u2019\u201d Pelaez said. <\/p>\n Pelaez and survivors see the good intention behind the newer updates. However, they hope legislators, the county and the state extend that minimum four hours and make notification alerts more detailed. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very grateful that the service does exist but there are still flaws within that system itself,\u201d the survivor said. <\/p>\n If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, there is help for you. KSAT has a list of resources<\/a> on its Domestic Violence webpage<\/a>, which also explains how to identify different types of abuse.<\/p>\n If it\u2019s an emergency, text or call 911. For wrap-around services including the Battered Women and Children\u2019s Shelter, call Family Violence Prevention Services<\/a> at (210) 733-8810.<\/p>\n