Homicides related to domestic violence in San Antonio have continued to rise over the past four years. At the end of October, City Council approved a comprehensive plan to disrupt the cycle of family and intimate partner violence.
The plan includes six goals to be achieved in the next five years by approaching the issue from multiple angles with support from a variety of community stakeholders. It incorporates immediate solutions for survivors of domestic violence and education campaigns to prevent abuse and deaths in the future.
San Antonio women are more likely to experience rape or murder than women in Austin, Dallas or Houston.
Thirty-five homicides were committed by a male intimate partner in San Antonio in 2018. Of those victims, 21 were women.
As of July 31, 2019, there had been 20 domestic violence-related homicides and half were women.
Guests:
- Colleen Bridger, assistant city manager for the City of San Antonio
- Judge Monique Diaz, 150th Civil District Court
- Patricia Mejia, vice president of community engagement and impact for the San Antonio Area Foundation
- Jenny Hixon, violence prevention manager for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
- Jeniffer Richardson, vice president of family initiatives at the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County
"The Source" is a live call-in program airing Mondays through Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. Leave a message before the program at (210) 615-8982. During the live show, call 210-614-8980, email thesource@tpr.org or tweet @TPRSource.
*This interview was recorded on Wednesday, December 11.
