Our Policy & Legal Work
TAASA’s Policy and Legal team is dedicated to establishing standards in best practices and sustainable systems for survivors of sexual assault through legislative and legal advocacy.
We are 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.
We are committed to investments in survivor healing, safety, privacy, empowerment and justice. For additional resources on helping survivors with legal assistance and other resources, click here.
Policy Partnerships & Collaborations
We collaborate with lawmakers, local officials, survivors, and advocates to develop survivor-centered policy.
Policy Work — 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. Learn more about the task force here.
We partner with researchers to increase knowledge and analyze data surrounding system response to sexual violence.
Texas Sexual Assault Survivors’ Study (2020-2022) — read here.
Texas State Auditor’s Office Report on Investigation and Prosecution Processes for Reported Sexual Assaults in Texas (October 2020) — read here.
Legislation — We monitor state and federal legislation for effects on sexual assault survivors, and advocate for TAASA members’ priorities:
We provide education and training on new and pending legislation: TAASA Talks (Youtube)
We encourage member engagement in policy that impacts survivors Join our Mailing List to stay connected.
Legal Guidance and Reports on Policy and Issues Related to Sexual Assault
We offer education and guidance on sexual assault policy and emerging issues such as reproductive healthcare, gender-affirming healthcare for minors, immigration detention facilities, and protective orders.
Legal Resources
We provide educational materials and assist survivors and advocates with legal information, attorney referrals, training, and technical assistance on legal issues that impact survivors of sexual assault.
Legal Advocacy
We provide technical assistance to legal advocates at rape crisis centers and other service organizations who offer direct services to sexual assault survivors on legal matters such as Title IX protections, crime victim’s rights, and privacy rights.
We support and advocate for survivors in significant appellate court cases addressing sexual violence.
2021 —
RONDERRICK JOHNSON v TALAUN BATHSHEBA HASSEAN SIMMONS Regarding service of process rules in protective order cases.
YEUNG v YEUNG Regarding survivor’s eligibility for a protective order when no prior criminal conviction.
TEXAS ENTERTAINMENT ASSOCIATION, INC. v GLENN HEGAR Regarding the application of sexually oriented business fee.
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2019
IN RE THE SOCIETY OF OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, RELATOR Regarding a survivor’s Constitutional Right to Privacy in discovery during civil litigation.
2017
IN THE INTEREST OF J.R.W., A CHILD Regarding parental rights of a sexual assault survivor in a child custody case.
UKWUACHU v STATE Regarding application of the rape shield law in a criminal case.
2015
B.C. v. STEAK N SHAKE OPERATIONS, INC. Regarding sexual assault in the workplace, and the ability of a survivor to sue under the Texas Labor Code for assault vs harassment.
2009
SUSAN COMBS, COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND GREG ABBOTT, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF TEXAS v. TEXAS ENTERTAINMENT ASSOCIATION, INC. AND KARPOD, INC. Regarding the constitutionality of the sexually oriented business fee for purposes of funding rape crisis center services.