Policy and Legal
TAASA’s Policy and Legal team is composed of a dynamic group of advocates who work to establish standards in best practices and sustainable systems for survivors of sexual assault through:
- Legislative Advocacy
- Legal Advocacy
- Community Advocacy
- Human Trafficking Advocacy
We are committed to investments in healing, survivor empowerment, community engagement, and social and economic justice.
Our Policy Work
Our policy work is guided by our mission to end sexual violence, and our stewardship of service to survivors and our members. We build bridges between new stakeholders, and maintain an inclusive, transparent process for our legislative agenda. We leverage our influence with stakeholders and partners to solve problems, establish standards, and provide stable and sustainable systems for survivors through policy analysis and legislative advocacy.
Policy Analysis
- We collaborate with lawmakers, local officials, survivors and advocates to develop survivor-centered policy. Click here to learn more about our Survivor Advisory Board: https://taasa.org/get-involved/survivor-advisory-board/
- We participate in the Governor’s Sexual Assault Survivors’ Task Force and contribute our expertise in conversations about significant public policy issues related to sexual violence in Texas. Click here to learn more about the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Task Force. https://gov.texas.gov/organization/cjd/sastf
- We partner with researchers to increase knowledge and analyze data surrounding system response to sexual violence.
- Texas Sexual Assault Survivors’ Study (2020-2022) https://sites.utexas.edu/idvsa/research/sexual-assault/1590-tx-survivors-study/
- Texas State Auditor’s Office Report on Investigation and Prosecution Processes for Reported Sexual Assaults in Texas (October 2020) https://sao.texas.gov/SAOReports/ReportNumber?id=21-002
- We offer education and guidance on sexual assault policy and emerging issues.
- Reproductive Healthcare for Survivors
- Texas Heartbeat Act
- Gender-Affirming Healthcare for Minors
Legislative Advocacy
- We advocate for TAASA members’ priorities at the Texas Capitol and in Washington. Click here to read TAASA’s 2021 policy priorities.
- We monitor state and federal legislation for effects on sexual assault survivors: “TAASA Talks”
Materials
- 88th Legislative Updates - 9.1.23
- Trauma Informed Info Sheet
- HIV Info Sheet
- SART Info Sheet
- SART Guide
- SART Bylaws Template
- Regional SART Resolution Template
- Advocate Accompaniment for Law Enforcement
- Guide to Title IX
- Title IX - One Pager - Eng
- Title IX - One Pager - Esp
- SB 806 Sample Notice to Survivors - Eng
- SB 806 Sample Notice to Survivors - Esp
Our Advocacy Work
In our advocacy work, we engage with and educate the community, and we enhance community connections to encourage development of a trauma-informed response to sexual assault. We advocate for survivors in all communities, including survivors of human trafficking.
- We assist survivors and advocates with legal information, attorney referrals, and legislative testimony.
- We support survivors in significant appellate court cases addressing sexual violence.
- We provide technical assistance and training to sexual assault programs working directly with survivors of human trafficking, through our Human Trafficking Advocacy Program.
- Click here to learn more about our Human Trafficking Advocacy Program and CSEY advocacy trainings.
Additional Advocacy Resources:
- Survivors in Crisis: Lack of Access to Sexual Assault Support Services in Immigration Detention Facilities.
- Sexual Assault In Texas Prisons Report
- End the Silence - Zero Tolerance for Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment: Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
- Toolkit: Starting a Correspondence Program for Incarcerated Survivors
- Helpful Resources for Incarcerated Survivors
- Webinar: Tools for Working with Incarcerated Survivors
- Coping Inside: A Self-led Therapeutic Program
Join Our Policy Listserv
You can join our policy alert listserv by submitting the form below.
Policy Listserv