Public health is fundamentally the science of prevention, addressing upstream factors to prevent downstream consequences.
In practice, this means that upstream public health solutions like supporting positive parenting, for downstream problems like domestic violence-related homicide, take many years to change outcomes.
Survivors of one form of violence are more likely to be victims of other forms of violence. A public health approach is not a quick fix, but a slow, deep change to systems and whole communities. It requires sustained, multi-sector commitment and transparent evaluation of what is working and what isn’t to make change rooted in evidence.
A Public Health Approach to Domestic Violence
Public health is fundamentally a science of prevention, addressing upstream factors to prevent downstream consequences. In practice, this means that upstream public health solutions like supporting positive parenting, for downstream problems like domestic violence-related homicide, take many years to change outcomes. Survivors of one form of violence are more likely to be victims of other forms of violence. Youth who have been physically abused by an intimate partner are more likely to have experienced abuse as a child1. Children who experience physical abuse or neglect are at greater risk for committing violence against peers2, teen dating violence, and committing child abuse3, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence later in life. A public health approach is not a quick fix, but slow, deep change to systems and whole communities. It requires sustained, multi-sector commitment and transparent evaluation of what is working and what isn’t to make change rooted in evidence.
History
In Spring 2019, our community identified an increase in domestic violence-related murders. Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales and Councilman Manny Pelaez asked the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) for a structured assessment of domestic violence-related services. The evaluation included available services, systems of data collection and analysis, and community responses to family violence, including by law enforcement, social services, courts, and educators. The assessment also pinpointed gaps in service, and potential system improvements in incident reporting and follow up.
A Special Order signed and entered on July 30, 2019, by Local Administrative District Court Judge Peter Sakai created the first-of-its-kind Commission on Collaborative Strategies to Prevent, Combat, and Respond to Domestic Violence. Co-Chaired by Assistant City Manager Dr. Colleen Bridger and 150th District Court Judge Monique Diaz, the Commission held its first meeting on Friday, August 16, 2019, and is the first in Bexar County to formally convene local leaders in government, the judiciary, law enforcement, prosecution, non-profits, and health care agencies with one shared vision: reduce domestic violence in Bexar County.
Committees
Prosecution
District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales and Joe Nino, Co-Chairs
Judiciary
45th District Court Judge Mary Lou Alvarez and 379th District Court Judge Ron Rangel, Co-Chairs
Healthcare
George Hernandez (UHS) and Jelynne Burley (Center for Healthcare Services), Co-Chairs
Education
Cynthia Teniente Matson (Texas A&M San Antonio), Chair
Law Enforcement
Chief William McManus and Sheriff Javier Salazar, Co-Chairs
Non-Profits
Patricia Castillo (Peace Initiative), Marta Palaez (Family Violence Prevention Services), and Julia Rodriguez (Texas Rio Grande Legal Aide), Co-Chairs
Policy
Jeff Coyle (City of San Antonio) Chair
