About Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is any forced, coerced, unwanted sexual contact. Sexual assault can include different forms of violence. Remember, sexual assault is never the victim’s fault.

Types of Sexual Assault —

Sexual assault can include, but is not limited, to attempted rape; rape — sexual intercourse or penetration without permission (consent); sexual threats and intimidation; incest — sexual contact with a family member; sexual assault by intimate partners or persons known to the victim; child sexual abuse; human sexual trafficking; unwanted fondling or sexual touching; sexual harassment and street harassment; and other unwelcome, coerced or non-consensual activity.

History of the Movement

1974 — The 1st Texas women’s shelter & RCC opens.

1982 — TAASA began serving as a unifying voice for the sexual assault movement in Texas.

1993 — Marital rape exemptions are removed from all 50 states.

1997 — Institutionalization of Sexual Programs and nurses via the Office of the Attorney General.

1995 — Victim Rights Progress | Police departments are no longer able to ask survivors to submit to a polygraph test as part of the criminal investigation.

2002 — TAASA unveils the award-winning “Speak up Speak out” statewide awareness Campaign.

2003 — Texas becomes the first state to pass legislation criminalizing human trafficking.

2015 — Texas Legislature makes first appropriation of funds to rape crisis centers from the Sexually Oriented Business Fee.


2017 — TAASA hosts the National Sexual Assault Conference (NSAC) in Dallas, TX. Rose Luna is appointed as the first woman of color Executive Director at TAASA.

2019 — Historic legislation for sexual assault advocates as the Sexual Assault Survivor Task Force is formed with TAASA in a leadership position as a member of the steering committee.

TAASA’s legislative victories include an unprecedented $7.7 million dollar increase for rape crisis center funding.  TAASA pushes through SASTF legislation in conjunction with CAC Texas.

2020 — TAASA becomes a pass-thru for SASP federal funds.

2021 — TAASA was successful in mandating SART coverage in every Texas County and Law Enforcement. TAASA also successfully passes policy initiatives for SASTF with CAC Texas.

2022 — TAASA becomes a pass thru for AARP funds via HHSC FVPSA office

Sexual Assault Statistics

70% of sexual assaults are committed by a perpetrator known or related to the victim¹

2 in 5 women in Texas have been sexually assaulted²

1 in 5 men in Texas has been sexual assaulted²

6.3 million Texans have experienced some form of sexual assault in their lifetime²

Over 90% of sexual assault survivors do not report to law enforcement²

    1. Madigan, T. (2012). The serial rapists is not who you think. Star Telegram Online

    2. Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya, D., Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley, C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. The University of Texas at Austin, Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault: Austin, Texas

If you experience sexual assault, it is not your fault. 

Sexual assault may leave you feeling hopeless or ashamed, but you are not powerless. These are normal responses, and you are not alone.

To get help like counseling, local hotlines, and more, you can go to a local crisis center. You can use our Crisis Center Locator to find a center near you.