Assault Victim Support Services Take Unprecedented Step Forward

Stevie Quilo
Jun 28
4 min read

Updated: Jul 1

Executive and local staff of Wintergarden Women's Shelter

Support services for sexual assault victims are now locally accessible! Vital resources such as individual counseling and SAFE hospital exams are available right here in Del Rio, for free, for the first time in local history. These public services have never before existed within county lines. Wintergarden Women’s Shelter Inc. took over operation of the Val Verde Battered Women’s Shelter in January 2025 and have been transforming the program ever since.

The shelter was originally designed as an “immediate crisis shelter” to provide emergency safe haven for victims of domestic violence. This year, the shelter has expanded its reach. Services are no longer exclusive to domestic violence victims in crisis. Now anyone, who at any time, has experienced any form of sexual assault or domestic violence, is able to receive help.

Wintergarden publicly announced their new service offerings during City Council on June 24, 2025. Executive Director Erica Bustamante drove in from Carrizo Springs for the presentation. Bustamante said, the Val Verde Wintergarden shelter is the “only certified sexual assault agency in this region.”

Bustamante said, “the city and the county has come together to make sure the services are available.” Wintergarden works closely with hospital staff and law enforcement agencies to coordinate on cases. Thanks to their efforts in securing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), SAFE hospital exams are now available at Val Verde Regional Medical Center. Whereas before, victims were being transferred to San Antonio for forensic exams.

Accompaniment to hospital appointments, court hearings, and police visits are some of the program’s new offerings, as well as non-residential counseling, peer support groups and long-term safety planning. Wintergarden staff is on call 24/7 if victims need help, providing individualized care. They can advocate for the victim, provide legal assistance, and guide them through the criminal justice system, even helping fill out government paperwork or SNAP applications.

Wintergarden does not require victims to report their assault to the police but can facilitate the process if victims so choose. No proof of abuse is required by Wintergarden. Their focus is on healing and moving forward, and they want to be as inclusive as possible. Men, women, and children all have access to services. Wintergarden has integrated accommodations to prevent gender discrimination.

Denysea Garcia is the Outreach Specialist for the local shelter; a new position created in January. She said: “There is no statue of limitations as to when we can provide services, whether something happened today, a year ago, or 20 years ago, regardless of any evidence. We don’t require police reports or any type of reports. As long as there is an outcry or a need, we are here to serve.”

Garcia provided some statistics of domestic violence and sexual assault within Val Verde County. She said that Val Verde County has some of the highest rates of family violence in South Texas. In 2023, 381 incidences of family violence, 50 incidents of sexual assault, and 22 of rape were reported in the county. However, Garcia said, crimes are underreported. She said: “They are not seeking help, they are not reporting these things… It’s a population that’s vulnerable, underserved, and doesn’t understand their rights as a victim. Our job as advocates is to educate them and empower them, so they do not have to be fearful of their life.”

“The numbers that DPS received in comparison to the number of individuals that we serve… we have a greater number. So that tells us these crimes are being unreported, these victims don’t feel comfortable enough reporting these crimes to law enforcement. We are serving a larger population than what is being reported to the state,” added Garcia.

Wintergarden’s primary role is “being there to empower the victim and help them feel comfortable and help them navigate all of the processes that they then have to go through… providing any kind of comfort we can and resources for what happens next.” The dual-service agency provides all types of services for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault, but their primary role is still to be a safe haven.

Garcia emphasized her interagency work with City Staff, the District Attorneys, Sheriff Office, Police Department, Nutrition Center, and School District. She provided a few honorable mentions: “Judge Owens has fought for us feverishly, making sure that population is serviced. As well as Joe Frank Martinez and our advocates at the sheriff’s office… Our DA is amazing. She wants to ensure that every abuser is being held accountable.”

Recent administrative and operational changes, led by Wintergarden, have brought the shelter up to national standards, making it eligible for state and federal grants. The City of Del Rio has always provided funding for the shelter and now shelter funding sources can be diversified. Wintergarden also has a substantial list of private donors who contribute to programs across their seven-county territory. All of these services are free of cost to the victim.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Wintergarden for support services.