Austin News

Gov. Greg Abbott made a proclamation declaring April to be Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Texas. 

The goal of the proclamation is to unite Texans around raising awareness of sexual assault and also to honor the bravery of sexual assault survivors. 

"We are committed to supporting survivors, bringing perpetrators to justice and ending sexual assault in the Lone Star State" Abbott said. 

Abbott appealed to the strength of Texans to fight sexual violence. 

"Texans are not overcome when faced with adversity; together, we can protect the vulnerable, help victims find healing, and bring offenders to justice," Abbott said in a statement. "Our state is extremely grateful for the courage shown by survivors, who bravely share their stories and lend their voices to this cause, as well as for the many law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and organizations like the Governor’s Sexual Assault Survivors’ Task Force, who continue to fight for the safety of all Texans. At this time, I encourage all Texans to join me in renewing our commitment to ending sexual assault and empowering survivors."

Abbott has also drawn attention to the specific plight of migrants regarding sexual assault.

"In short, this facility is a health and safety nightmare" Abbott said in a Wednesday press conference, talking about the Freeman Coliseum where 1,300 undocumented migrant teens are reportedly being held. 

Abbott called for the facility to be closed by the federal government in the wake of reports of sexual assaults against minors at the facility. 

In addition to the month of awareness, the governor's office created a survivor's task force that seeks to standardize the response to sexual violence across the state and make it collaborative and centered on survivors and trauma. One of the focuses of the task force is to bring together both professionals and survivors. 

January 28 was previously named Sexual Assault Survivors Day in Texas by Abbott. Texans can observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month by using the hashtag  #TXSexualAssaultAwarenessMonth on social media.