The Purple Door

The mission of The Purple Door is to empower the community and those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault to transition to a safe and healthy environment. It is The Purple Door's ultimate vision to see domestic and sexual violence end in the Coastal Bend.

The Purple Door, formerly Women's Shelter of South Texas, is the only private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization specifically designed to provide services to victims of domestic and sexual violence across a twelve-county South Texas region, which includes Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio counties. The Purple Door utilizes trauma-informed care for survivors, taking a victim centered approach through all services.

In 2025, The Purple Door served 2,107 victims of domestic and sexual violence. Of those served, 667 were children. Throughout the year, 684 survivors stayed in the agency's safe shelter. 70% of survivors served identified as domestic violence victims. 25% of survivors identified as sexual violence victims. A total of 150,309 services were provided to victims, 89% of those occurring face to face. 

Services:
•24-hour crisis hotline
•24-hour safe, confidential shelter
•Safety planning
•Referrals to other community resources
•Protective Order assistance
•Case management
•Individual counseling for adults and children
•Accompaniment to medical facilities, law enforcement, or judicial proceedings
•Sexual assault services
•Legal advocacy
•Community education and awareness programs or training
•Primary prevention

Hotlines:
•Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline: 361-881-8888

Testimonials

After fleeing a domestic violence situation in another city, this survivor reached out to our hotline seeking safety and support. Following an initial assessment, he was pre-approved for shelter and transported to our facility.

From the moment he arrived, he demonstrated a strong commitment to rebuilding his life. Shortly after completing the intake process, he began working diligently to identify resources and services that could help him navigate the challenges he was facing. During his first few weeks in shelter, he took full advantage of the agency’s in-house programs and support services. With guidance from staff, he applied for housing assistance, Crime Victims’ Compensation, and SNAP (food stamp) benefits.

As he continued working closely with one of our case managers, he developed a plan to address his immediate needs and work toward long-term stability. Through his determination and consistent effort, he was able to secure permanent housing while also maintaining and advancing in his current employment.

After successfully completing the residential program, he has transitioned to receiving non-residential services through the agency. His journey reflects resilience, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to creating a safer and more stable future for himself. - Residential Services Coordinator