San Antonio, October 9, 2025
News Summary
Local leaders and organizers gathered at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center for a symposium focused on domestic violence in San Antonio. Organized by the Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence, the event brought together government officials, service providers, survivors, and advocates to share resources, prevention strategies, and policy initiatives. Key topics included funding, hotline usage, and the pressing need for intervention programs, especially given Bexar County’s alarming domestic violence death rate. The symposium aimed to educate and motivate communities toward facilitating open discussions on this critical issue.
San Antonio
Organizers and local leaders gathered at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center for a symposium focused on domestic violence in San Antonio. The event was organized by the Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence (CCDV) and drew government officials, service providers, survivors, advocates and community members to discuss resources, prevention and policy coordination.
Key facts and immediate takeaways
The symposium aimed to educate attendees about available resources for those in abusive relationships and discuss prevention strategies. The CCDV was established in 2019 after San Antonio recorded the highest number of domestic violence-related homicides in Texas in the previous year. City and county leaders are collaborating through the CCDV to influence policy and align resources to reduce domestic violence and its worst outcomes.
Presenters included public health and court officials as well as national and local advocacy groups. Erica Haller-Stevenson, Violence Prevention Administrator from Metro Health, highlighted the importance of the symposium for understanding community gaps in addressing domestic violence. Judge Monique Diaz, co-chair of CCDV, emphasized the need to normalize discussions surrounding domestic violence to facilitate open conversations and break stigmas.
Funding, hotlines and service use
Nearly $17 million in federal funding is directed at stopping domestic violence, supporting resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline. In state-level reporting, Congressman Lloyd Doggett reported that over 26,000 Texans used the hotline last year, which connects calls to local agencies. Local officials underscored that stronger coordination is needed so state and federal dollars reach direct services and prevention programming.
Public health and service providers presented local data showing troubling outcomes in the region. Bexar County had the highest domestic violence death rate per capita in Texas in 2024, with 17 deaths recorded. Service providers at the symposium described strategies to lower that number, including expanded shelter capacity, targeted outreach, and increased access to intervention programs.
Service providers, shelters and hotlines
Local nonprofits and shelters outlined the services available to survivors and family members. The Battered Women and Children’s Shelter provides comprehensive support services for individuals escaping domestic violence. The shelter also confirmed that the shelter offers assistance to men as well and recognizes that many domestic violence victims are children.
Providers noted seasonal patterns in help-seeking. The San Antonio Domestic Violence Hotline typically sees an increase in calls during October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Organizations emphasized availability of immediate assistance and directed attendees to local and national hotline numbers and intake resources.
Prevention programs and perpetrator rehabilitation
Panel sessions included presentations on intervention programs designed to prevent repeat offenses and change behavior. Speakers Montgomery McCrory and Ricardo Munoz shared their journeys toward rehabilitation after committing acts of domestic violence. Both speakers described completing Batterer Intervention and Prevention Programs as a key step in their rehabilitation; specifically, Both men participated in Batterer Intervention and Prevention Programs (BIPP) to address their violent behaviors and support reform.
The symposium included narratives intended to motivate current perpetrators to seek help and prevent future harm. The symposium included personal stories from former domestic violence perpetrators now advocating against violence. Organizers and panelists stressed accountability and behavior change; in that context, They emphasized the importance of acknowledging wrongdoing and expressed commitment to promoting nonviolence.
National stories and awareness partnerships
National advocacy groups participated in educational sessions to amplify awareness and encourage help-seeking. Speakers from the Gabby Petito Foundation participated in the symposium, sharing Gabby’s story to inspire others to seek help. The symposium reminded attendees of nationally reported cases that have elevated public discussion: Gabby Petito was murdered in 2021 by her boyfriend while on a trip together.
Goals and next steps
Local leaders said the gathering was intended to identify gaps in services, strengthen referral pathways, and expand prevention programming. Marta Peláez, CEO of Family Violence Prevention Services, noted that 1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence during their lifetime and aims to reduce the death rate to zero. Attendees left with information on local BIPP options and victim support services. Resources for individuals interested in BIPP programs and support for victims were provided, along with hotline numbers for immediate assistance.
Background
The CCDV was formed to coordinate local responses after a documented spike in severe domestic violence outcomes. The CCDV was established in 2019 after San Antonio recorded the highest number of domestic violence-related homicides in Texas in the previous year. The city and county collaborated to influence policies and utilize resources to combat domestic violence. Continued collaboration and funding are central to the CCDV’s efforts.
FAQ
Who organized the symposium?
The event was organized by the Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence (CCDV).
Where did the symposium take place?
Organizers and local leaders gathered at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center for a symposium focused on domestic violence in San Antonio.
What was the purpose of the symposium?
The symposium aimed to educate attendees about available resources for those in abusive relationships and discuss prevention strategies.
When and why was the CCDV established?
The CCDV was established in 2019 after San Antonio recorded the highest number of domestic violence-related homicides in Texas in the previous year.
What federal funding supports domestic violence efforts?
Nearly $17 million in federal funding is directed at stopping domestic violence, supporting resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
How many Texans used the National Domestic Violence Hotline last year?
Congressman Lloyd Doggett reported that over 26,000 Texans used the hotline last year, which connects calls to local agencies.
What was Bexar County’s domestic violence death rate situation in 2024?
Bexar County had the highest domestic violence death rate per capita in Texas in 2024, with 17 deaths recorded.
What did local service leaders say about the prevalence of domestic violence?
Marta Peláez, CEO of Family Violence Prevention Services, noted that 1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence during their lifetime and aims to reduce the death rate to zero.
Does the local hotline see seasonal changes?
The San Antonio Domestic Violence Hotline typically sees an increase in calls during October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
What services does the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter provide?
The Battered Women and Children’s Shelter provides comprehensive support services for individuals escaping domestic violence.
Does the shelter assist men and children?
The shelter offers assistance to men as well and recognizes that many domestic violence victims are children.
Were there stories from former perpetrators at the symposium?
Speakers Montgomery McCrory and Ricardo Munoz shared their journeys toward rehabilitation after committing acts of domestic violence.
Did the speakers complete intervention programs?
Both men participated in Batterer Intervention and Prevention Programs (BIPP) to address their violent behaviors and support reform.
What resources were made available at the symposium?
Resources for individuals interested in BIPP programs and support for victims were provided, along with hotline numbers for immediate assistance.
Did national groups participate?
Speakers from the Gabby Petito Foundation participated in the symposium, sharing Gabby’s story to inspire others to seek help.
What national case was referenced at the symposium?
Gabby Petito was murdered in 2021 by her boyfriend while on a trip together.
What did judicial leadership emphasize?
Judge Monique Diaz, co-chair of CCDV, emphasized the need to normalize discussions surrounding domestic violence to facilitate open conversations and break stigmas.
What public health perspective was presented?
Erica Haller-Stevenson, Violence Prevention Administrator from Metro Health, highlighted the importance of the symposium for understanding community gaps in addressing domestic violence.
How are local governments working on the issue?
The city and county collaborated to influence policies and utilize resources to combat domestic violence.
Did the symposium include voices of changed perpetrators?
The symposium included personal stories from former domestic violence perpetrators now advocating against violence.
What was the behavior-change message at the symposium?
They emphasized the importance of acknowledging wrongdoing and expressed commitment to promoting nonviolence.
Key features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence (CCDV) |
| Location | Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio |
| Main focus | Resources for survivors, prevention strategies, perpetrator intervention |
| Federal funding | Nearly $17 million directed at stopping domestic violence |
| Hotline usage (state-level) | Over 26,000 Texans used the hotline last year |
| Local death rate (2024) | Bexar County: 17 deaths recorded |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Establishment of the Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence (CCDV) | Established to coordinate after a spike in severe outcomes |
| 2021 | Gabby Petito was murdered | National case referenced by participating foundation |
| October (annual) | Domestic Violence Awareness Month | Hotline call volumes typically increase in October |
| 2024 | Bexar County recorded 17 domestic violence deaths, highest per capita in Texas | Local public health reporting |
| [Event date not specified] | Symposium at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center | Organizers and local leaders gathered |
Statistics (visual)
Visual comparison of key numbers (bar lengths are illustrative):
Nearly $17,000,000 federal funding
26,000 Texans used hotline last year
17 domestic violence deaths in Bexar County (2024)
Notes: Numbers and program names are reported by event organizers, public officials and local service providers at the symposium.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- KENS5: San Antonio Domestic Violence News
- Wikipedia: Domestic Violence
- News4SanAntonio: San Antonio Symposium on Domestic Violence
- Google Search: San Antonio Domestic Violence Symposium
- KSAT: Former Perpetrators Turn Advocates
- Google Scholar: Domestic Violence Intervention Programs
- KENS5: Texas Nonprofit 5K Walk for Victims
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Domestic Violence
- News4SanAntonio: Purple Run for Domestic Violence Survivors
- Google News: San Antonio Domestic Violence Awareness
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