Austin and Travis County are facing new federal roadblocks to their work to respond to sexual assault. However, local progress continues. On Monday, the Public Safety Commission convened their second discussion of local data related to sex crimes. The commission heard presentations from Austin Police Department (APD), the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, and The […]
SAFE Alliance
Posted inHousing
County backs $7.2M SAFE Alliance housing in East Austin
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court dedicated $7.2 million toward a supportive housing development called the Lancaster, a 60-unit complex that will provide respite for people experiencing homelessness and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The development is a project of the SAFE Alliance, a nonprofit serving survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and […]
Posted inPublic Safety
City Council recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
City Council issued a proclamation this week recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and the work that Austin, Travis County and a network of advocacy groups and nonprofits are doing to reform the region’s sexual assault response system. City Council Member Alison Alter delivered the proclamation on behalf of Mayor Kirk Watson […]
Posted inPolice
Council to consider budget amendment for sexual assault investigations
The city’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget could include more than $850,000 in additional funding for sexual assault investigations, building on a yearslong effort to reform how the Austin Police Department investigates and processes such cases. Mayor Pro Tem Alison Alter proposed a budget amendment Friday that would allocate ongoing and one-time funds to implement recommendations […]
Posted inHousing
County, nonprofits prepare to administer supportive housing resolution
The Travis County Commissioners Court met for a work session Thursday to review the ongoing, federally funded affordable housing initiatives in the Austin area. Multiple nonprofits are preparing to build supportive housing in Travis County using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, earmarked for use by commissioners last year. The nine groups – the Other […]
Posted inCity Council
Vote would fund new family violence shelter
At today’s meeting, Austin City Council members plan to award a contract for up to $8.1 million over four years to the SAFE Alliance to manage and provide services at a city-owned shelter for those experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse. This year’s funding of $2.1 million will be used to convert an existing hotel […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Commission moves to bring transgender voices to public safety table
A discussion on providing support to victims of anti-transgender violence quickly gravitated toward the work of the city’s “reimagining public safety” initiative at this week’s meeting of the Public Safety Commission. In line with repeated requests from local LGBTQ community leaders, the commission passed a unanimous recommendation to City Council to place a transgender or […]
Posted inPublic Safety
SAFE Alliance reports escalating domestic violence is ‘another public health pandemic’
Between April and June, the SAFE Alliance recorded a 25 percent increase in calls to its 24/7 SAFEline compared to the same time period in 2019. This spike in calls coincides with a reduction in visits from survivors of sexual assault to the nonprofit’s Eloise House for post-trauma care. The SAFE Alliance hotline is a secure and […]