APD Sex Crimes Unit

APD Sex Crimes Dashboard

The Austin Police (APD) Sex Crimes Dashboard provides a transparent, data-driven look at reported sex crimes in Austin and how those cases progress through the investigative process. Developed in response to community feedback and recommendations from the 2022 PERF audit and City of Austin settlement, the dashboard offers regularly updated information on reported offenses, case status, and outcomes. By sharing this data publicly, APD aims to promote accountability, support informed community dialogue, and provide greater insight into how sex crimes are investigated while respecting the sensitivity of these cases and the individuals affected.

What this dashboard shows:

• Aggregate, de-identified data on reported sex crimes in Austin
• How cases move through key stages of the investigative process
• Trends over time to support transparency and public understanding

What this dashboard does not show:

• Personal or identifying information about victims or suspects
• Details that could compromise investigations or individual privacy
• Context specific to individual cases, which may vary widely based on circumstances

Sexual Assault

As defined by the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA), sexual assault is any forced, coerced, or unwanted sexual contact. Each state has its own legal statute regarding sexual assault. Click here for a closer look at the Texas statute. It is important to know that even if you feel or are concerned that the circumstances of your sexual assault do not meet the Texas Statute, you can still make a police report to APD.

 

Sexual assault can be perpetrated by a stranger, an acquaintance, a spouse or partner, or someone the survivor knows and loves. It does not have to be violent to be assault. Remember, sexual assault is never the survivor’s fault.

 

Consent is always required to engage in sexual contact. This video is widely utilized and explains consent in simple terms:

Tea Consent

 

The APD Sex Crimes Unit investigates all sexual assault cases in which the victim/survivor is 17 years of age or older at the time of the crime. The APD Child Abuse Unit investigates sexual assaults in which the victim/survivor is 16 years old or younger at the time of the crime.    

Reporting Options 

An adult survivor of sexual assault always has the choice of whether to report their sexual assault. * It can feel overwhelming for a victim to come forward about their sexual assault, but they do not have to do it alone. Survivors have the option to work with law enforcement or to document their experience in other ways if they prefer. Support is available no matter what a survivor chooses.

 

Whether or not a victim reports to law enforcement, they have the right to request a sexual assault medical forensic exam, also known as a SAFE.

 

Additionally, survivors of sexual assault do not have to report to law enforcement to be able to access resources or receive services from a community advocate or victim services. Please visit ATXBelieves.org for more information on the resources available to survivors.

 

*For protected populations (those under the age of 18, 65 years of age or older, or who have a disability that substantially limits their daily life activities), agency staff are required to report abuse and neglect to police if it has not already been reported.

Police Reporting Process 

The best way to report a sexual assault to the Austin Police Department is to call 911. This is true whether the incident has just occurred or if it happened years ago. Regardless of when a survivor of sexual assault contacts police, their safety and well-being are important to APD, and an officer will respond as soon as possible, along with a counselor from the APD Victim Services Unit.

 

Upon arrival, the APD Officer and Victim Services Counselor will assess for safety and/or any immediate medical needs and will support the survivor with any resources, considerations, and next steps, including seeking a forensic medical exam if the survivor chooses.

 

After the report is taken, a detective with the APD Sex Crimes Unit will be assigned to investigate the case, and a counselor with the unit will also be assigned to support the survivor throughout the investigation. The counselor will also explain the option for the survivor to utilize a pseudonym.

 

Goals of the detective and counselor include keeping the survivor updated on case developments and providing information and resources as needed.

 

Survivors always have the choice of whether to continue to participate in an investigation and to do so at a pace that is most comfortable for them.

 

Another reporting option available to survivors is Seek then Speak. If a survivor is unsure about whether to report to police immediately, but think they might in the future, they can utilize this online service to begin documenting what happened. The documents can be saved by the survivor and utilized if they choose to report to law enforcement in the future. It’s important to note that if a survivor utilizes Seek then Speak, they may want to additionally contact a sexual assault advocacy program as Seek then Speak does not automatically connect them to those resources.

 

If you or someone you care about is the victim of a sexual assault, and you would like more information about your reporting options, you can contact the APD Victim Services Unit at 512-974-5037.

 

If you have made a report of sexual assault to APD and would like to talk with someone about your case, please contact the APD Sex Crimes Unit at 512-974-5230.

Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam (SAFE)

Regardless of whether a victim/survivor reports to police, they have the right to obtain a sexual assault medical forensic exam (SAFE). A SAFE is a physical examination performed by a professional called a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner or SANE to collect evidence from the survivor’s body and clothing. A SAFE exam can be helpful to individuals who may want to preserve evidence of the assault. Locally, Brave Alliance provides these exams. 

Video tour of Brave Alliance

SAFE Time Frame:

In most cases, DNA evidence will need to be collected within 120 hours to be analyzed by a crime lab. However, receiving a sexual assault medical forensic exam after 120 hours may secure evidence that can be useful if you decide to report.

Preparing for a SAFE:

When preparing for a forensic exam, if you can, try to avoid activities that could potentially damage physical evidence, such as:

• Bathing
• Showering
• Brushing teeth
• Using the restroom
• Changing clothes
• Combing hair
• Cleaning up the area
• Survivors can still access a SAFE even if the above activities have occurred.

Potential benefits of receiving a SAFE:

• The SAFE nurse will be able to provide medical attention and answer medical questions you may have regarding the sexual assault.

• Evidence will be preserved, and this is called a SAFE kit. Whether or not you make a police report, you can still obtain a SAFE. If you choose to make a police report, the evidence collected will be submitted for analysis, and you and your investigator will receive the results when they are available. If you choose not to make a police report, the evidence collected will be submitted for analysis and you will receive limited results (whether or not foreign DNA was identified) and these results will remain secured for five years, after which you will be notified and have three months to decide if you would like to make a report. Click here for more information about limited consent SAFEs. Updates on SAFE kits are provided by a statewide system called Track Kit managed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. 

• The SAFE is provided at no cost. However, if you seek care at a hospital, the hospital may charge for any medical services provided (such as treating any injuries), but not for the SAFE itself.

Protective Orders

Whether or not a survivor makes a police report, they may also seek to obtain a protective order. A protective order is a legal ruling issued by a judge that can limit or prohibit how one person interacts with another person. Survivors of family violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking may be able to obtain a protective order.

For more information, please visit these resources:

• Travis County Attorney’s Office Protective Orders Division

• Texas Law Help Website and Protective Order Kit

Additionally, survivors can talk with APD Victim Services about protective order options.

Helpful Numbers/Websites

Please call 911 for any emergencies.

APD Victim Services: 512-974-5037

APD Sex Crimes Unit: 512-974-5230

Brave Alliance: 512-738-8817

LASSA (Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault): 844-303-7233, Option 1

National Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline: 988

Office of the Texas Governor’s Sexual Assault Survivor’s Task Force

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): 1-800-656-4673

SAFE Alliance: 512-267-7233 or chat line: 737-888-7233

For more resources, please visit ATXbelieves.org

Additional Resources

Crime Victims Compensation (CVC)

Crime Victims Compensation is a program run by the Texas Office of Attorney General that can financially assist victims of crime with costs related to the crime such as medical bills, counseling, and lost wages. For more information, please visit the Crime Victims Compensation webpage on the Texas Attorney General’s website.

You can also contact APD Victim Services and request to speak to a counselor to better understand the program and its requirements.

Statewide Automated Victim Notification System (SAVNS)

SAVNS is a system that can provide survivors or other concerned parties with current information and notifications about an offender’s jail custody status and related court proceedings. Texas SAVNS can automatically notify an individual via phone call, text message, or email when there is a change in custody status such as:

• When the suspect or offender is released from jail or transferred to another facility
• The death or escape of an offender
• When a court date has been set or changed.

An individual must register on the SAVNS website or by calling their number: 866-268-8959.

Therapy Services in Austin

APD Victim Services partners with private therapists in the greater Austin area who may be able to provide a set number of pro bono counseling sessions for survivors of crime. All participating therapists are trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to explore your needs and goals, and together you will decide if and when EMDR feels like the right approach for you, or if another type of therapy would be more helpful. Please contact APD Victim Services for more information at 512-974-5037.

For additional resources, please see our Victim Services’ Teal Pamphlet for survivors of sexual assault and ATXbelieves.org.

Crime Victims’ Rights 

Victims/survivors of sexual assault have rights. Please visit our APD Victim Services page to read more about the rights of crime victims in Texas. 

Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team (SARRT)

APD is a proud member of the Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team (SARRT), a multidisciplinary collaboration including law enforcement, victim services, advocates, legal professionals and members of the County Attorney and District Attorney’s offices. SARRT members meet regularly to coordinate services, problem solve, and work to improve community and systemic response to victims/survivors of sexual assault. 

Collective Sex Crimes Response Model Project (CSCRM)

The Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Project is a multi-disciplinary initiative dedicated to systemically improving the response to sexual assault survivors. After many years of challenges that significantly impacted survivor trust and confidence in the criminal justice system, the City of Austin faced two class action lawsuits brought about by sexual assault survivors and subsequently, a review conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). The CSCRM collaborative was formed to address both the settlement terms of the lawsuit and the recommendations put forth by PERF and is committed to sustaining improved response to sexual assault survivors in Austin. 

Sex Crimes Unit Case Reviews

• Austin Police Department Statement on Sex Crimes Unit Case Review (2021-2022)
• Austin Police Department Statement on Sex Crimes Unit Case Review (2023-2024)

Legislative Updates 

Multiple organizations monitor state and federal legislation for impacts to survivors.

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) outlines legislative updates for 2025.

You can also visit the websites for these organizations to learn more about legislation and legal advocacy:

Office of the Texas Governor’s Sexual Assault Survivor’s Task Force

Texas Council on Family Violence

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long do I have to report a sexual assault?

Survivors of sexual assault can make a report at any time whether the incident happened recently or many years ago.

While the statute of limitations on criminal prosecution varies from state to state, you have the right to make a police report if you choose to, no matter when the assault occurred.

What is a sexual assault medical forensic exam?

Regardless of whether a victim/survivor reports to police, they have the right to obtain a sexual assault medical forensic exam, (SAFE). A SAFE is a physical examination performed by a professional called a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner or SANE to collect evidence from the survivor’s body and clothing. A SAFE exam can be helpful to individuals who may want to preserve evidence of the assault. Locally, Brave Alliance provides these exams.

Video tour of Brave Alliance

SAFE Time Frame:

In most cases, DNA evidence will need to be collected within 120 hours to be analyzed by a crime lab. However, receiving a sexual assault medical forensic exam after 120 hours may secure evidence that can be useful if you decide to report.

Preparing for a SAFE:

When preparing for a forensic exam, if you can, try to avoid activities that could potentially damage physical evidence, such as

• Bathing
• Showering
• Brushing teeth
• Using the restroom
• Changing clothes
• Combing hair
• Cleaning up the area

An exam can still be accessed even if the above activities have occurred.

Potential benefits of receiving a SAFE:

• The SAFE nurse will be able to provide medical attention and answer medical questions you may have regarding the sexual assault.

• Evidence will be preserved, and this is called a SAFE kit. Whether or not you make a police report, you can still obtain a SAFE. If you choose to make a police report, the evidence collected will be submitted for analysis, and you and your investigator will receive the results when they are available. If you choose not to make a police report, the evidence collected will be submitted for analysis and you will receive limited results (whether or not foreign DNA was identified) and these results will remain secured for five years, after which you will be notified and have three months to decide if you would like to make a report. Click here for more information about limited consent SAFEs. Updates on SAFE kits are provided by a statewide system called Track Kit managed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

• The SAFE is provided at no cost. However, if you seek care at a hospital, the hospital may charge for any medical services provided (such as treating any injuries), but not for the SAFE itself.

Can I get a forensic exam without making a police report?

Yes. If you are 17 years of age or older and do not want to make a police report but you would like to have evidence collected and preserved, you can seek a sexual assault medical forensic exam at any point after the sexual assault occurred. For more information on limited results SAFEs, click here. Locally, you can receive services from a forensic nurse at Brave Alliance 

Will I have to go to court/testify?

When a sexual assault case goes to trial in Travis County, a victim/survivor will not be forced to testify, but it is very likely that the victim/survivor will be asked to testify to increase the chances of successful prosecution of the case. Whether or not a victim/survivor agrees to testify, there are multiple supports available, including victim services counselors within the court system. Locally, this is the Travis County District Attorney’s Office Victim Services Unit. APD Victim Services and confidential community advocates are also resources for survivors throughout the criminal justice process and beyond. It is always the victim’s choice to testify and/or proceed with their sexual assault case. 

What is the difference between law enforcement-based victim services and confidential sexual assault advocates?

APD Victim Services Counselors hold master’s degrees and are mental health clinicians with experience responding to trauma and providing crisis intervention. They work alongside law enforcement to provide trauma-informed care, support, and information about the criminal justice process. Due to working within the system, victim services counselors have limited confidentiality and must document their contact with survivors as part of the police department documentation on the case.

Confidential sexual assault advocates often work within rape crisis centers or other community-based agencies to provide confidential support services. They can be a supportive presence for survivors during a forensic exam and provide additional services throughout the criminal justice process. By law, a victim/survivor can also request that a confidential sexual assault advocate accompany them to their interviews with investigators to offer support and ensure the survivor’s rights are respected, with confidentiality protections in place.

It is important to note that survivors can be supported by both victim services and confidential advocates, if they choose, throughout the reporting process and investigation.

I was using drugs and/or alcohol at the time of my sexual assault. Can I still make a report?

Yes, you can make a report. It does not matter if you were drinking alcohol or using substances at the time you were assaulted. There is never an excuse for someone to perpetrate harm against you. You are not to blame, and you can make a report at any time.

Further, Texas Statute states that the use of evidence gathered in a sexual assault forensic exam may not be used to investigate or prosecute a misdemeanor offense alleged to have been committed by the victim seeking the sexual assault forensic exam.

You can find more information about alcohol and drug-facilitated sexual assault on the website for RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network). 

What should I do if someone I care about has been sexually assaulted?

When someone you care about has been sexually assaulted, you can support them by staying calm, being present, and validating their feelings and emotions. You can consider using phrases such as:

• “I’m here for you”
• “I’m sorry this happened to you.”
• “What you’re feeling makes sense.”
• “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Listen and let your loved one go at their pace and comfort level in discussing what happened to them. Avoid asking “why” questions such as “Why were you there?” as these questions can often come across as judgmental even when they are well meaning.

Let them know what happens next is their choice. Survivors of sexual assault did not have a choice in what happened to them, but they do have choice in what happens next.

You can also consider offering support such as helping them call a sexual assault hotline or being present with them if they decide to make a police report.

After someone experiences a trauma, there is no one path toward healing. This can look different for everyone. As a loved one, you can consider checking in with the survivor in the days, weeks, months and even years after the incident to let them know that you are still there for them. 

What if I was sexually assaulted in a different city/county, but I live in Austin?

If you were sexually assaulted in a different city or county and you live in Austin, you have the option to make the report either in the city/county it occurred or in Austin. If you choose to make the report here in Austin, you should call 911. As with any report of sexual assault, you should expect both a patrol officer and a victim services counselor to respond. If you choose, you can obtain a sexual assault medical forensic exam here in Austin, and you will be offered the same additional resources as you would if the crime occurred in Austin. The difference will be that the APD Sex Crimes Unit will ensure that the initial report is complete and will then transfer the case documents to the jurisdiction where the assault occurred for investigation by their agency. You may still request assistance from APD Victim Services and seek support from local confidential advocates at any time. 

What support is available for individuals who need language assistance?

APD has a diverse workforce of employees who speak languages other than English. APD also partners with services that provide interpretation and sign language. No one will be turned away due to a language barrier.