The Alamodome, Tower of the Americas, Bexar County Courthouse and other public buildings are lit purple in October as part of Purple Porch SA. The initiative encourages residents and businesses to light their buildings purple. Bexar County Commissioners Court issued a proclamation Tuesday recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
New data from the city-county Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence shows 28 people died from family violence last year, including five children. 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 San Antonio Police Department, which investigates other violent deaths, could not provide a year-to-date total.
Civil District Judge Monique Diaz, who co-chairs the 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 34%. Diaz said she believes more people are asking for help because they have more confidence in the system. Marta Pelaez, CEO of Family Violence Prevention Services, said the commission is examining how civil and criminal courts handle these cases, including some that were dismissed.