The team has three components: investigative, legal, and social services.

Investigative Services:  At the FVPT, the Austin Police Department and Travis County Sheriff's Office primarily investigate cases of family violence assault, kidnapping, stalking, and protective order violations.

Legal Services:  The Travis County Attorney's Office, Legal Aid of Central Texas, and the Women's Advocacy Project provide legal services to the team. Working together, these agencies have streamlined the process for obtaining emergency or long-term protective orders. Assistant County Attorneys prosecute the majority of cases against offenders. If the crime committed is a felony, the District Attorney's Office will prosecute the case.

Social Services:  SafePlace, the Austin Police Department and Travis County Sheriff's Department Victim Services counselors represent the social services side of the team. Victim Services counselors are the first point of contact for survivors who come to the FVPT office. This allows the victim to get her or his needs assessed immediately. SafePlace offers crisis and long-term counseling and referrals, emergency shelter, and transitional housing. Children of clients accessing services at FVPT can also receive free counseling from the Austin Child Guidance Center.

Resources

Travis County Sheriff's Office

Emergency calls: 911

Non-emergency calls: (512) 267-SAFE

SafePlace (formerly the Center for Battered Women/Austin Rape Crisis Center)

24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: (512) 928-9070 (Voice/TDD)

Resource Center: (512) 476-1866

Texas Advocacy Project

Family Violence Legal Hotline: (512) 476-5770

Administrative Office: (512) 476-5377

Travis County Attorney's Office Receptionist: (512) 473-9415

Legal Aid of Central Texas Administrative Office: (512) 447-7707 TDD: (512) 441-9478

Lifeworks  Administrative Office: (512) 327-8018

Contact Information

In an emergency, always dial 911 and an officer will be dispatched to assist you. For non-emergencies, you can reach team members at (512) 974-8535, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You may contact us by email at  Family Violence.