City Attorney's Office donates items to victims of domestic violence

In the spirit of the holiday season, the City Attorney Office's Family Violence Unit presented more than 1,800 donated items, including women's and children's clothing, shoes, and toys to the Battered Women and Children's Shelter of Bexar County and Dress for Success San Antonio. The donated items were collected from members of the City Attorney's Office, the Civil Division of the District Attorney's Office, and private citizens.

"We are fortunate for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of women and children in our community who will be impacted by these generous donations, especially during this season of giving," said City Attorney Michael Bernard. "I applaud the staff in our Family Violence Unit for their dedication in pursuing this initiative."

The clothing drive was spearheaded by Elizabeth McRae Juarez, a prosecutor in the Family Violence Unit, after realizing the impact and dynamics victims face in domestic and family violence cases.

"The largest meaning of this gift is the partnership and understanding that it demonstrates on the part of the City officials and the City Attorney's Office and everybody who contributed. It sends a clear message to the mothers and children at the Battered Women and Children's Shelter, that they are not alone, that they can aspire to what the rest of us enjoy during this holiday season: gifts, fun, friends and new beginnings, said Marta Pelaez, President/CEO of Family Violence Prevention Services.

"Thank you for understanding that domestic violence is not a one time unfortunate occurrence for its victims, but if not for the gentle hand of those who help, a life time of suffering. Thank you for being part of their healing and hope. Thank you for contributing to the moral fiber of our community," she added.

“We at Dress for Success San Antonio are enormously grateful to all the staff from the City Attorney's Office. Thank you for the very generous donation of professional clothing and, even more, for you insight into and appreciation of our mission as we help low-income women to become economically self-sufficient and their children to break the chains of generational poverty," said Pamela Taylor, CEO and executive director of Dress for Success

Since the Unit's inception in December 1997, more than 12,000 family violence cases have been filed and the division has assisted more than 54,000 victims with information and referrals.