SAN ANTONIO – Citing an 18% spike in domestic violence cases this year, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff wants to include funds for a special Protective Order Court in the county’s budget.
COVID-19 pandemic leads to increased domestic violence, deaths, community leaders say
“We’ve seen a tremendous jump in the protective orders that have been requested,” Wolff said during his daily COVID-19 briefing Tuesday.
He called the increase in domestic violence cases a “shadow pandemic.”
Though the county budget is tight, Wolff said he has proposed setting aside $948,000 for the new court.
“It provides them with an associate new judge, court manager, program assistance and crime advocates, all the back-up support system they need to have the court work,” Wolff said.
Senior Civil District Court Judge Peter Sakai praised the creation of the Protective Order Court.
“This was the county’s side of putting in its contribution on the prevention and the fight against domestic violence,” Judge Sakai said Wednesday. “We’re really pleased that the county has embraced it.”
He said he shares Wolff’s vision for a court designed to deal exclusively with protective orders.
“Hopefully, this will help stem the tide of domestic violence,” Wolff said.