Law Enforcement and Prosecution
Holding the abuser accountable for his/her actions is an important step in breaking the Cycle of Violence. There are a variety of services available through law enforcement including, but not limited to, making a police report, filing charges and crisis intervention. The extent to which you utilize Law Enforcement services is completely up to you and will not affect any other services you may need or want to utilize.
As District Attorney Susan Reed says," No one deserves to be hit".
Agencies providing this service:
San Antonio Police Department
Bexar County Sheriff's Office
District Attorney's Office 
Protective Orders
No appointment is necessary, as people are seen on a first come first serve basis. There is no charge.
Who may apply for a Protective Order?
The person who committed family violence against the victim must be either:
- Related to the victim by blood or marriage (ex spouses also eligible
- Currently living with the victim or must have lived with them at some time
- Someone the victim has had a child with
- Someone the victim has had a continuing intimate dating relationship with, without regard to gender
- Someone who sexually assaulted the victim
You will be required to fill out a simple form providing information on yourself and the person you are making the complaint against (defendant). If you cannot fill out the form, we will do it for you. In general, the process is as follows:
- An advocate (interviewer) will gather the facts and information regarding your case. The advocate will take a sworn statement from you describing what type of violence occurred. They will assist with any questions you may have about the criminal justice system during the protective order and judicial process.
- The application and affidavit will be reviewed by a protective order attorney.
- After review, the following could occur - defendant will receive a letter, a bond will be raised, a no-contact order will be secured or a protective order will be requested. You will also be referred to various agencies for appropriate services.
- If a Protective Order is requested, the necessary legal paperwork will be prepared. A Protective Order hearing will be scheduled in two weeks, allowing the Sheriff's Office to hand deliver the paperwork to the defendant. If the defendant is not delivered (served) the paperwork, the case will be reset again in two weeks, and again, if necessary.
- If the defendant is served with the documents, you will need to go to court. An attorney and an advocate/paralegal will go to court to represent you and answer all of your questions.
Agencies providing this service:
District Attorney's Office
Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid
Employment and Educational Assistance
This service is for individuals who are unemployed, need job training and/or would like to receive a high school diploma, GED or advanced education.
The following agencies can assist you with this:
- Workforce Solutions Alamo
- Dress for Success San Antonio
- Department of Defense
- Bexar County Juvenile Probation
- Our Lady of the Lake Women's Center
Family Services
This service is for individuals who need financial assistance for rent, help with electric bills, food, transportation, day care, medical assistance, spiritual guidance and other human service resources that may be available in the community.
The following agencies can assist you with this:
- Workforce Solutions Alamo
- SAMMinistries
- Department of Defense
- San Antonio Police Department
- Family Violence Prevention Services
- Family Service Association
- Our Lady of the Lake Woman's Center
Child Therapy and Adult Counseling
Child Witnesses to domestic violence often have behavioral and/or mental problems in addition to anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. This often leads to problems in school and socialization in the family and community.
Does your teenager display the following tendencies:
- Runaway from home?
- Always worried or anxious?
- Always sad?
- Always angry?
- Change eating habits such as eat too little or too much?
For a parent, counseling is also helpful as victims often have to confront divorce, separation or a health crisis in isolation. Someone who is a neutral party is here to help you.
The following agencies can assist you with this:
- Baptist Child & Family Services
- Department of Defense
- Family Violence Prevention Services
- Our Lady of the Lake Women's Center
- Family Services Association
- Center for Health Care Services
- San Antonio Police Department
- Jewish Family Service
Civil Legal Assistance
Often victims need assistance in civil legal matters associated with separation from the perpetrator that include family matters such as divorce, child custody, protective orders and visitation as well as day to day legal issues such as contract disputes, fraud, immigration issues, bankruptcy and more.
The following agencies can assist you with this:
- Bexar County District Attorney's Office
- Department of Defense
- Dress for Success San Antonio
- Catholic Charities
- Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid
- Saint Mary's Law Clinic for Social Justice
- Kid's Exchange
Health Care
Victims of domestic violence need good health care for themselves and their families. You need a medical home in the event of illness, a regular doctor, health care coverage for you and your child, and food for a healthy body. Through the Dream Center, the Family Justice Center can connect you with WIC, Healthy Start, CHIP, and Medicaid.
The following agencies can assist you with this:
- Department of Defense
- University Health Systems
- WIC
- Food Bank
- Carelink
Military Service
The Family Justice Center has a military advocate on site from the Department of Defense to help individuals who spouse/intimate partner are in the military or who need assistance with military services such as counseling, crisis intervention and relocation. The advocate may also help those who have recently relocated from another military installation and is unfamiliar with services offered at local bases.
The following agencies can assist you with this:
Housing-Temporary and Permanent
The Family Justice Center has advocates in the Dream Center who can help victims find housing or shelter. They also assist in financial planning so you may reach goals associated with home ownership and/or more financial stability.
The following agencies can assist you with this:
- Bexar County Housing & Human Services
- Department of Defense
- Department of Community Initiatives
- Jewish Family Service
Substance Abuse Counseling
Services are available for victims who have a history of drug/ alcohol problems in their family or for child(ren) who show symptoms of substance abuse associated with illegal drugs are underage drinking.
The following agencies can assist you with this:
- Department of Defense
- Bexar County Sheriff's Office -D.A.R.E Program
- Family Service Association
- Teen Challenge International
Sexual Abuse/Assault Assistance & Counseling
If you are in immediate danger there are several options. The Family Justice Center can connect you to agencies that will provide a safe place for you to live until the threat is not immediate.
The following agencies will be able to assist you:
- Baptist Child & Family Services
- Department of Defense
- The Rape Crisis Center for Children and Adults
- Child Safe
- Family Violence Prevention Services
Crisis Intervention
It is not uncommon for victims of domestic violence to feel completely isolated and on the edge of complete darkness. This leads to depression and suicidal thoughts and a situation where one cannot properly care for their children.
The following agencies will be able to assist you:
- Department of Defense
- The Rape Crisis Center for Children and Adults
- Center for Health Care Services
- Family Violence Prevention Services
Child Care
We have a child care room for clients to use while they receive services without distractions. Our child care room has toys, books, bassinets, movies, arts and crafts, and computer games for all ages. Activities in the room are coordinated by Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent Program.
Financial stabilization
Life can be overwhelming when a victim is trying to rebuild their life. In our Dream Center, we provide advice and assistance in child care, housing, and job searching.
The following agencies can assist you with this:
- Workforce Solutions Alamo
- Department of Defense
- Dress for Success San Antonio
- San Antonio Police Department
- Family Violence Prevention Services
- Family Service Association
- Our Lady of the Lake
Food and Clothing
The Family Justice Center can help get clients started with basic needs such as food and clothing and connect them to services for more in-depth services.
The following agencies can assist you with this:
- City of San Antonio- Community Initiatives
- San Antonio Food Bank
- Dress for Success San Antonio
- Salvation Army
Emergency Shelter
While some victims have a safe place they can go with close friends or families, others do not. The Family Justice Center can take you to off-site locations where you can live safely with your children until the situation becomes more stable and you get the help you need.
The following agencies can assist you with this:
- SAMMinistries
- Family Violence Prevention Services
