Community Education is provided throughout the agency’s service area, with presentations and training events to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence and to assist in identifying victims who may be in need of services. The Women’s Shelter of South Texas recognizes the vital role of all citizens and organizations in addressing domestic and sexual violence in our communities, and in developing community-specific prevention strategies that work towards ending the violence before it ever begins.

 In 2006, the Women’s Shelter of South Texas initiated the formation of the Coastal Bend Coordinated Community Response Coalition on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The coalition is comprised of multiple area entities including law enforcement, educational institutions for children of all ages from preschool through college, faith-based organizations, social service agencies, and individuals who have been personally affected by domestic and sexual violence. The coalition’s mission is to effect social change through collaborative efforts to meet the needs of victims, to hold offenders accountable, and to educate the Coastal Bend community on preventing domestic violence and sexual assault. Committees are at work addressing barriers that victims face as well as developing and implementing violence prevention training classes in area schools.

An additional community coalition was formed in 2007 to address issues of victim services and violence prevention initiatives in rural communities including Kleberg, Kenedy, and Brooks counties.