It is a crime for any person to cause you any physical injury or harm. Please tell the investigating peace officer if you have been injured or if you feel you are going to be in danger when the officer leaves or at a later time.
You have the right to:
- obtain a forensic medical examination within 120 hours of the assault to collect potential evidence and receive preventative medications, even if you decide not to make a report to a law enforcement agency;
- anonymously track or receive updates regarding the status and location of each item of evidence collected in your case;
- have a sexual assault program advocate present during a forensic medical examination;
- have a sexual assault program advocate or other victim's representative present during an investigative interview with law enforcement;
- ask the local prosecutor to file a criminal complaint against the person who assaulted you; and
- if a defendant is arrested for a crime against you involving certain sexual crimes, stalking, or trafficking:
- request an order for emergency protection to be issued by a magistrate;
- using procedures provided by Chapter 58, Code of Criminal Procedure, request a pseudonym to be used instead of your name in all public files and records concerning the offense; and
- apply to a court for a permanent order to protect you (you should consult a legal aid office, a prosecuting attorney, or a private attorney).
For example, the court can enter an order that prohibits the person who assaulted you from:- committing further acts of violence;
- threatening, harassing, or contacting you or a member of your family or household; and
- going near your place of employment or near a child care facility or school attended by you or a member of your family or household.
You cannot be charged a fee by a court in connection with filing, serving, or entering a protective order. If you have questions about the status of your case or need assistance, you may contact the crime victim liaison Victim Services Professional at our agency, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), 5805 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX 78773, 512-424-211 (Victim Services mainline).
To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).
Additional Resources
As a survivor of sexual assault, you may anonymously track or receive updates on the status of evidence collected in your case: https://tx.track-kit.us/
To locate a sexual assault crisis center in your area: https://taasa.org/crisis-center-locator/