Recommendation 20260622-007: Long Term Infrastructure for Sexual Assault Forensic Examination and Survivor Services — original pdf

Recommendation

. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number: 20260622-007: Long Term Infrastructure for Sexual Assault Forensic Examination and Survivor Services WHEREAS, sexual assault is an ongoing issue in our community and across the State of Texas, with many instances of assault going unreported, particularly by victims who are disproportionately targeted such as young, Black and Latino people identifying as women, LGBTQIA+, or who have a disability; and, WHEREAS, the Austin Travis County Sexual Assault Response & Resource Team (A/TC SARRT) is one of the oldest and most highly regarded coordinated community responses in the state of Texas comprised of law enforcement, prosecutors, forensic nurses, mental health providers, advocates, and survivors unified in the response to post-pubescent adolescent and adult sexual assault victims; and, WHEREAS, the A/TC SARRT, an integral member and collaborative force on the CSCRM Working Group, has identified a need for “more resilient long term infrastructure” in response to SAFE Alliance’s discontinuation of forensic examination services at Eloise House beginning May 31, 2026, calling for: (1) the recognition of all providers as essential (2) the establishment of equitable contracts with hospital networks (3) equitable law enforcement contracts with all qualified providers, and (4) a survivor-oriented and strategically located city and/or county owned facility. WHEREAS, no single nonprofit (or coalition of them) is a suitable replacement for the basic delivery of services and protections by the City of Austin, especially with respect to those most vulnerable to sexual assault and violence; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Human Rights Commission endorses the SARRT’s requests and recommends that City Council direct the City Manager’s Office and Austin Police Department to expeditiously pursue contracts to ensure availability across the system to address immediate reductions in capacity; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Human Rights Commission recommends that Austin City Council direct the City Manager’s Office to explore the scalable investment of public funds to establish a city-owned facility for forensic examination and FTEs to serve sexual assault survivors, ensuring consistent support for survivors as a pillar of public health and safety in the City of Austin, over the next two fiscal years. . Date of Approval: June 22, 2026 Motioned By: Commissioner Aslam Seconded By: Commissioner Clemmons Vote: 8-0 For: Chair Duhon, Vice Chair Davis, Commissioners Aslam, Clemmons, Igram, Kirsh Pozen, Martinez, and Morgan Avitia Against: None Abstain: None Off the dais: None Absent: Commissioners Jambor, Khawar, and Krueger Attest: _____________________________________________ Ryan Sperling, Staff Liaison