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A city in San Antonio is working to address domestic violence in a new way. They have a unique court that aims to prevent violence from escalating to a deadly level in families, as the city has historically had a high rate of family violence.
Written by Edgar Sandoval
Writing from San Antonio
During a hot July evening, Jesse Falcon was under the influence of cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol to the point where he claimed to have little recollection of the violent outburst that occurred.
Believing that his girlfriend was interested in another man at a social gathering in their apartment complex in San Antonio, he started physically assaulting the man. When his girlfriend attempted to stop the altercation, he pushed her forcefully, causing a cut on her arm.
During the evening, Mr. Falcon, who is 21 years old, remembered feeling very angry.
Instances similar to Mr. Falcon’s are unfortunately common for court officials in San Antonio, as the city has faced a persistent issue with domestic violence. Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, a judge specializing in family violence, expressed concern that individuals often leave jail feeling more angry and resentful, perpetuating the cycle of trauma.
Judge Gonzalez is leading a court that is taking a new approach by offering abusers an opportunity to make positive changes.
Individuals who are first-time offenders, such as Mr. Falcon, have the opportunity to avoid adding to the statistics of those who end up in jail for domestic violence by participating in a program called Reflejo, overseen by Judge Gonzalez’s court. This program, which means "reflection" in Spanish, aims to help offenders address their behavior and avoid future violence within their families.
The issue is not only happening in San Antonio, a city in South Texas with a majority Latino population. Many parts of the country experienced a significant increase in domestic violence incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lockdowns, unemployment, and increased alcohol consumption leading to tense situations at home.
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