Victim Resources
If you’ve experienced a crime, you have rights and resources. Below we list university services, other local resources and the rights that you have in Texas.
Resources at Texas State
Organization/Service | Number |
---|---|
Organization/Service
University Police Department (nonemergency line)
|
Number
512.245.2805
|
Organization/Service
Texas State Student Health Center
|
Number
512.245.2161
|
Organization/Service
Texas State Counseling Center
|
Number
512.245.2208
|
Organization/Service
Alcohol and drug use counseling
|
Number
512.245.3601
|
Organization/Service
University Legal Advisor
|
Number
512.245.2370
|
Organization/Service
Multicultural Student Affairs
|
Number
512.245.2278
|
Local Resources
Organization | Number |
---|---|
Organization
Alcoholics Anonymous
|
Number
512.396.2060
|
Organization
Attorney General’s Office, Child Support Enforcement
|
Number
800.252.8014
|
Organization
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Victim Services Division
|
Number
800.848.4284
|
Organization
Central Texas Legal Aid
|
Number
800.369.9270
|
Organization
Community Action (variety of social services)
|
Number
512.392.1161
|
Organization
DHS Child Protection Division, Child Abuse Hotline
|
Number
800.252.5400
|
Organization
DHS Child Welfare
|
Number
512.438.4800
|
Organization
Hays-Caldwell Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Cenikor)
|
Number
512.396.7695
|
Organization
Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center
|
Number
512.396.HELP (4357)
|
Organization
Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center, Children’s Advocacy
|
Number
512.396.7276
|
Organization
Hays District Attorney’s Office, Victim Protective Order Division
|
Number
512.393.7600
|
Organization
Hays District Attorney’s Office, Victim Services Division
|
Number
512.393.7617
|
Organization
People Against Violent Crime
|
Number
512.837.7282
|
Organization
Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio
|
Number
888.628.9454
|
Organization
Reproductive Health (San Marcos Community Health Services)
|
Number
512.392.5816
|
Organization
Scheib Center (mental health and developmental disability services)
|
Number
512.392.7151
|
Organization
Southside Community Center
|
Number
512.392.6694
|
Organization
Suicide Hotline (Hays County)
|
Number
877.466.0660
|
Organization
Suicide Hotline (national)
|
Number
800.273.TALK (8255)
|
Organization
Texas Advocacy Project (abuse prevention and assistance)
|
Number
800.374.HOPE (4673)
|
Texas Crime Victim Rights
A victim of a violent crime is: someone who is the victim of sexual assault, kidnapping, or aggravated robbery or who has suffered bodily injury or death because of the criminal conduct of another; the close relative (spouse, parent, brother/sister, or adult child) of a deceased victim; or the guardian of a victim. As a victim of violent crime, close relative of a deceased victim, or guardian of a victim, you have the following rights:
- The right to protection from harm and threats of harm arising from cooperation with prosecution efforts.
- The right to have your safety and that of your family taken into consideration when bail is being considered.
- If requested, the right to be informed about court proceedings, including whether they have been canceled or rescheduled.
- If requested, the right to information about procedures in the criminal investigation of your case by law enforcement, and about general procedures in the criminal justice system, including plea bargaining, from the prosecutor’s office.
- The right to provide information to a probation department conducting a pre-sentence investigation on the impact of the crime.
- The right to receive information about the Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, which provides financial assistance to victims of violent crimes and, if requested, referral to social service agencies that may provide additional help.
- If requested, the right to be notified of parole proceedings by the Board of Pardons and Paroles, to participate in the parole process, and to be notified of the inmate’s release.
- The right to be present at all public court proceedings, if the presiding judge permits.
- The right to be provided with a safe waiting area before and during court proceedings.
- The right to prompt return of any property no longer required as evidence.
- If requested, the right to have the prosecutor notify your employer of the necessity of your testimony that may involve your absence from work.
- If requested, the right to counseling and AIDS/HIV testing for victims of sexual assault.
- The right to request victim-offender mediation coordinated by the Victim Services Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
- The right to complete a victim impact statement detailing the emotional, physical and financial impact the crime has had on you and your family, and to have that statement considered by the judge at sentencing and by the parole board prior to taking any parole action.
Source: adapted from the Texas Attorney General’s victim rights information.