SAN ANTONIO — With the San Antonio area having one of the highest domestic violence death rates in the state, a new city ordinance is hoping to address the issue.

What You Need To Know

  • The ordinance will require all public restrooms to have a sticker with information and a hotline to call about domestic violence

  • Enforcement of the ordinance will begin in October

  • Behind Harris and Dallas counties, Bexar County has the third highest number of domestic violence deaths in the state

Carol Schliesinger works in violence prevention with the city as the San Antonio metro health policy and operations manager.

“On average, a person leaves an abusive relationship seven times before they leave for good,” Schliesinger said.

From a public health standpoint, domestic violence is a growing epidemic nationwide. About 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe domestic violence at the hands of an intimate partner in the U.S., according to data from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

“LGBTQ couples as well as straight couples. It affects everybody. It crosses all boundaries,” Schliesinger said.

Last year, the San Antonio City Council approved nearly $34 million in funding to address domestic violence, and a new city ordinance is taking awareness efforts up a notch. 

The ordinance requires that all public bathrooms display signs in the bottom-right corner of mirrors with a QR code and number to call, 1-800-799-SAFE, if you need help to get out of a dangerous situation.

While enforcement of the ordinance won’t start until October, community health workers with the city are making sure businesses are aware of the policy.

“Important to get the information out to anybody who’s being abused in any situation,” said Nicholas Spink, owner of Artisan Distillery & Craft Bar.

“The sign is intended to go inside restrooms because that is usually the one place where a person affected by domestic violence has the most privacy,” Schliesinger said.

Bexar County has the third highest number of domestic violence deaths in Texas, right behind Harris County—home to Houston—and Dallas County.

Schliesinger says these signs could provide life-saving information. 

“We’ve heard directly from people affected by domestic violence that they’re not aware of resources that are out there,” she said.

The signs will be required in all public restrooms, including family bathrooms.

“We want to make sure everybody can access the information,” Schliesinger said. “At any moment, they may need it.”