SAFE | Media Contact

Valeria Perez, Communications Coordinator

Email: vperez@safeaustin.org

Phone: 512.772.9374

SAFE | News Releases

Events for Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness month all April long
April 2022, Austin, TX — April is both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The SAFE Alliance and our partner organizations are hosting events throughout the month to help our community understand these serious health concerns.

‘What Was I Wearing?’ exhibit challenges attitudes about sexual assault through stories told by survivors
April 2022, Austin, TX — The “What Was I Wearing?” exhibit opens on April 7 with a special ceremony led by SAFE advocates, the Consulate General of Mexico in Austin, and survivors of sexual assault. “What Was I Wearing?” invites the community to question harmful attitudes and reactions by sharing stories of survivors and displaying the outfits they were wearing at the time of the assault.

SAFE’s Expect Respect program to promote healthy teen relationships in four U.S. cities with funding from The Allstate Foundation
March 2022, Austin, TX — The SAFE Alliance in Austin, Texas received nearly $1 million to replicate its evidence-based, violence prevention program, Expect Respect, in four U.S. cities: Hemet, California; Chicago, Illinois; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Houston, Texas.

Kelly White announces retirement as Co-CEO of SAFE
February 2022, Austin, TX — Kelly White, Co-CEO of The SAFE Alliance, has announced she is leaving the organization as Co-CEO effective March 31, 2022. Over the past three decades, Kelly has been part of SAFE’s history and has been an instrumental part of the agency’s predecessor organizations, the Center for Battered Women, SafePlace, Austin Rape Crisis Center, and the Austin Children’s Shelter.

What businesses can do to prevent trafficking during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January 2022, Austin, TX — January is Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. As the new year begins, advocates who specialize in preventing trafficking are encouraging businesses and community groups to be active in their role to stop violence. The SAFE Alliance is now offering trainings to local organizations on how to spot trafficking and take action.

Austin’s Piper Stege Nelson named one of BBC’s 100 most inspiring, influential women for 2021!
December 2021, Austin, TX — Piper Stege Nelson, SAFE’s Chief Public Strategies Officer, was named to the BBC 100 Women 2021 list. 2021’s keyword is “reset,” with the BBC honoring women who have contributed to “playing their part to reinvent our society, our culture, and our world.”

Austin City Council to purchase hotel for new famliy shelter
December 2021, Austin, TX — This week, the Austin City Council will vote to purchase and renovate a hotel that will be used as a shelter for survivors of family violence (Item 59).

SAFE’s Touch-A-Truck is back for a fun-filled family event!
September 2021, Austin, TX — Touch-A-Truck, one of Austin’s most exciting, family-friendly events, is back Saturday, Sept. 25 at Camp Mabry! Kids of all ages can touch, climb on, and explore a variety of vehicles—like ambulances, bulldozers, fire trucks, military transporters, and more.

Honoring Frankie Fowler and her 40 years of service at SAFE
July 2021, Austin, TX — For 40 years, SAFE has had the immense honor of having Frankie Fowler as a volunteer. We’re fortunate to have such powerful force for good working with us and we look forward to continuing this wonderful relationship. Thank you Frankie!

Preparing for harassment-free workplaces as employees return to office
April 2021, Austin, TX — Many local businesses are planning for post-COVID times. That means people are starting to return to work in person. To restart successfully, companies need a plan to prevent workplace harassment.

Special online events during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
April 2021, Austin, TX — In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18–24, SAFE is hosting a series of digital events to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues, rights, and resources available.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month
April 2021, Austin, TX — With Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month both in April, we have an opportunity to discuss these forms of violence and the ways they are tied together.

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
February 2021, Austin, TX— February is a busy month for our Expect Respect program, which focuses on preventing abuse by educating youth in Austin-area school about healthy relationships.

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month
January 2021, Austin, TX— Raising awareness about the seriousness of trafficking is a critical step in putting an end to this widespread issue.

Closing out 2020 on a positive note: SAFE Holidays a massive success
December 2020, Austin, TX— SAFE is thrilled to announce that nearly 300 donors have provided gifts for more than 1,000 SAFE clients as part of this year’s SAFE Holidays program.

SAFE workplace harassment trainings go digital
November 2020, Austin, TX— The SAFE Institute now offers a streamlined, self-paced online training to help businesses build healthy, respectful workplaces free from harassment.

News conference – Child Abuse Prevention Month
April 2020, Austin, TX— Our Strong Start team is discussing the recent uptick in calls related to parenting support and child abuse since the pandemic started.

The cost of COVID-19 for nonprofits
March 2020, Austin, TX— Despite canceling our major fundraisers for the year, SAFE has remained dedicated to keeping our doors open and continuing to provide a high level of care to our clients. To make that possible, we have had to get innovative.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
January 2020, Austin, TX— Every January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Our CARES team supports survivors of trafficking in Austin through advocacy, counseling, and a drop-in center where survivors can take a break with their peers.

SAFE & Sound benefit concert returns on Aug. 29 at Stubb’s
August 2019, Austin, TX— SAFE & Sound returns this summer  for a night that celebrates Austin, local music, and raises funds and awareness to support The SAFE Alliance as they serve survivors of violence in Central Texas.

SAFE launches app for working with child abuse victims with disabilities
July 2019, Austin, TX — SAFE’s Disability Services recently launched the All Kids SAFE digital guide to support law enforcement and other child abuse investigators working with child victims who have disabilities or who are Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and hard of hearing (DDBDDHH).

SAFE’s Touch A Truck Returns for a Fun-Filled Family Event 
May 2019, Austin, TX—Touch-A-Truck, one of Austin’s most exciting family-friendly events, is returning to Camp Mabry on Saturday, May 11, 2019.

SAFE to Hold 2nd Annual SAFEMen Forum
April 2019, Austin, TX— On April 23, 2019, SAFE will hold the 2nd annual SAFEMen Forum to gather local leaders and create concrete plans on how they and their institutions will work to break the cycle of violence and create a culture of respect.

SAFE Introduces The SAFE Institute to Foster Healthy, Respectful Workplaces
Austin, TX— SAFE announced the launch of The SAFE Institute, a new initiative created to bring SAFE’s valuable experience to organizations that are committed to cultivating safe, respectful spaces.

SAFE Expands Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Clinic
Austin, TX— SAFE’s Eloise House, which administers a majority of sexual assault forensic exams in Austin, recently expanded its facilities to better serve survivors of sexual assault in Central Texas.

Touch-A-Truck raises funds for SAFE’s Children’s Shelter
Austin, TX— Touch-A-Truck, one of Austin’s most exciting family-friendly events, is returning to Camp Mabry on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Kids can touch, climb on, and explore 60+ vehicles of all shapes and sizes–like ambulances, fire trucks, bulldozers, or military transporters.

Community Needs Assessment Analyzes Local Sexual Assault Response
Austin, TX
— A recently published Community Needs Assessment provides a comprehensive analysis of the needs and challenges for sexual assault response in our Central Texas community. This assessment reveals that the community has made great strides in our sexual assault response systems, but that there remains much room for improvement in all parts of the system.

SAFE Launches Consent Isn’t Cheesy Campaign
Austin, TX— The SAFE Alliance’s Expect Respect program, which educates youth in over 40 local schools about building healthy and safe relationships, is launching the Consent Isn’t Cheesy campaign during the month of February to engage young people in conversations about consent.

SAFE Launches SAFEMen Pledge
Austin, TX— As reports of widespread sexual harassment and assault continue to surface, the spotlight is on the numerous men who have taken advantage of countless women. The SAFE Alliance is asking men to commit to ending the cycle of violence by signing the SAFEMen Pledge. Read More…

Touch-A-Truck Puts Kids in the Driver’s Seat
Austin, TX— Touch-A-Truck, one of Austin’s most exciting family-friendly events, is returning to Camp Mabry on Saturday, May 13, 2017. Kids can touch, climb on, and explore 40+ vehicles of all shapes and sizes–like ambulances, fire trucks, bulldozers, or military transporters.This family-friendly event (just $5 a ticket!) has something for everyone: food trucks, a petting zoo, face painting, barrel train rides, games and adventures in the Kid Zone, just to name a few. Read More…

SAFE Named a ‘2017 Best Nonprofit To Work For’
Austin, Texas— SAFE, a merger of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace, has been named one of the nation’s top 50 “Best Nonprofits To Work For” in 2017, ranking 21st overall and 2nd in the large organizations category (250+ employees). Read More..

On SafePlace Campus, Cornyn to Announce New Bill to Help Victims of Domestic Violence TODAY
Austin, Texas — TODAY U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) will announce the introduction of new legislation called the Helping End Abusive Living Situations (HEALS) Act at The SAFE Alliance’s SafePlace campus in Austin. read more…

Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace Merge to become SAFE

Austin, Texas — Effective Jan. 1, 2017, Austin Children’s Shelter (ACS) and SafePlace officially merged to become one agency – The SAFE Alliance, or SAFE, stop abuse for everyone. ACS and SafePlace are long-standing and respected human services agencies that have together or separately provided services for those experiencing sexual assault and exploitation, child abuse, and domestic violence. All programs and services previously offered and facilitated by ACS or SafePlace are continuing as programs of SAFE. Read more…

“Draw the Line Day” Proclamation: Austin Mayor Steve Adler to Honor SAFE and The Mrs

(April 6, 2016; Austin, TX) —Austin Mayor Steve Adler will present The SAFE Alliance and the Austin-based, all-female band The Mrs with a proclamation declaring April 8 “Draw the Line Day.” The proclamation honors the work of SAFE and their leadership in ending sexual assault and exploitation, child abuse, and domestic violence through prevention, intervention, and advocacy for change. The document also honors The Mrs for this week’s release of their new song, “Draw the Line,” which highlights these issues.

Austin Band and Nonprofit Partner to Launch Campaign in Support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

(April 5, 2016; Austin, TX) : Austin-based, all-female band The Mrs, announced today a unique partnership with SAFE, a local nonprofit working to end sexual assault and exploitation, child abuse, and domestic violence. The Mrs’ newest song and music video, “Draw the Line,” will serve as the primary tool for awareness and fundraising. All proceeds from the new track will go directly to SAFE.

SAFE Supports Thumbs Up! : Sexual Assault Prevention is Everyone’s Business

(Jan. 28, 2016; Austin, TX): Just over 1,000 sexual assaults were reported in Travis County last year. A recent Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study, conducted by the Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault at the School of Social Work at UT Austin, found that only 9.2 percent of sexual assault victims in Texas reported their experiences to the police…. And it’s because we can’t ignore sexual assault that Austin is now the site of a ridesharing debate that has been raging over the last several months. We have become involved with this debate because of the young women we are seeing that report to us they were sexually assaulted by their ridesharing drivers….

SAFE Supports Multi-Layered Regulations for TNCs

(December 16, 2015; AUSTIN, TX): The SAFE Alliance, a partnership of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace, has been closely watching the ongoing debate regarding regulation of transportation network companies (TNC’s) in Austin.Beginning in June 2015, we became the primary agency conducting forensic exams for teen and adult sexual assault survivors in Central Texas, which has put us in the unique position…

Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace come together to address violence and abuse

(September 17, 2015; AUSTIN, TX): In order to deliver more comprehensive services and better address the spectrum of needs for individuals and families affected by violence and abuse, the Boards of Directors of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace have created an operational merger between the two organizations. The organization is called The SAFE Alliance, or SAFE for short.

SAFE | Media Coverage

2020

Human Rights Commission passes recommendation for domestic violence survivors
Austin Monitor, Dec. 1

Experts worry human trafficking, commercial sex exploitation on rise due to pandemic
Spectrum News, Nov. 10

SAFE’s Fatherhood program
Fox7, June 17

Domestic violence and COVID-19
Frontireza on KOOP Radio, June 8

The SAFE Alliance uses hotel to shelter abuse victims
KVUE, May 27

Domestic violence centers see spike in calls, child abuse goes under reported
CBS Austin, May 14

During the pandemic reports of child abuse have decreased
PBS NewsHour, May 13

Local nonprofits adapt to help people survive domestic violence during COVID-19
Austin Chronicle, May 8

Se registra un incremento en llamadas que reportan abuso infantil video
Univision, April 30

Coronavirus in Austin: Overall arrests plummet but domestic violence rises
Austin American Statesman, April 30

Coronavirus The SAFE Alliance child abuse calls increase compared to last year
KVUE, April 29

If you’re at home with your abuser, SAFE can help
Decibel Austin PBS, April 29

Coronavirus in Austin The SAFE Alliance finds new ways to reach trafficking survivors
Austin American Statesman, April 24

A ‘Petri dish’ for family violence Austin advocates worry after spike then drop in abuse calls during pandemic
KXAN, April 23

COVID-19 pandemic making it tougher for human trafficking victims to find help, advocates say
KXAN, April 12

Arrests of celebrity mechanic’s son underscore domestic worries in coronavirus lockdown
Austin American Statesman, April 11

Family violence amid COVID-19 crisis -what you need to know and how to get help
Spectrum News, April 10

Coronavirus Austin family violence hotlines
KVUE, April 6

Texas family violence advocacy groups see uptick in calls during stay-at-home order
Fox7, April 1

Get Involved spotlight: The SAFE Alliance
KUT Get Involved, April

Coronavirus in Austin abuse calls spike, death reported amid outbreak
Austin American Statesman, March 27

Coronavirus in Austin children’s shelters struggle for groceries, necessities
Austin American Statesman, March 26

Austin homeless service organizations that need your help now
Austin Chronicle, March 19

The SAFE Alliance expecting influx of calls coronavirus pandemic
KVUE, March 19

La cuarentena podra poner a vctimas de violencia domstica a merced del agresor
Telemundo, March 18

Disrupting the cycle: Unprecedented effort tries to untie foster care, homelessness in Austin
Community Impact, Feb. 28

Gov. Abbott offers clemency to victims of human trafficking
Houston Chronicle, Feb. 25

Community leaders promote healthy relationships through Expect Respect program
Spectrum News, Feb. 9

Austin drop-in center welcomes in youth sex trafficking survivors
KXAN, Jan. 30

Austin city council votes to end arrests, fines for low-level marijuana offenses
Spectrum News, Jan. 23

2019

‘What Were You Wearing’ exhibit aims to bust myths about sexual assault
KXAN, Dec 13

“What Was I Wearing” Exhibition Hopes to Shatter Myths About Sexual Assault
Spectrum News Austin, Dec 2

APD investigates sexual assault near UT campus
FOX7, Nov 24

APD unveils soft interview rooms to ensure trauma-informed approach | Hilltop Views
Hilltop Views, Nov 19

3 Survivors Share Their Stories of Escaping and Healing From Domestic Violence
The Healthy, Oct 29

Sobreviviente de violencia doméstica logro escapar gracias a organización local
Telemundo, Oct 23

Helping Kids Feel ‘SAFE’ at School
DomesticShelters.org, Oct 16

Many people experiencing homelessness in Austin say past trauma or abuse led them there
KXAN, Oct 10

Getting help and getting it fast: How one program is making more shelter space for abuse victims
KVUE, Oct 9

‘You will die without me’: Abuse and its connection to becoming homeless
KVUE, Oct 8

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
KVUE, Oct 1

Hands on fun for the entire family at Touch-A-Truck!
We Are Austin, Sept 25

3D gun printing company founder Cody Wilson gets 7 years probation for sex with minor case
CBS Austin, Sept 12

UT Researchers Develop Guide to Notify Sex Assault Survivors of Rape Kit Processing
Spectrum News Austin, Sept 5

UT study helps police notify survivors of their rape kit results
KXAN, Sept 5

Donations needed: SAFE Alliance asking for basic items to help people moving into its shelters
KXAN, July 31

SAFE Alliance in need of bare necessities sees increase in violence survivors
FOX7, July 31

New Laws to Combat Human Trafficking, Aid Sexual Assault Survivors Set to Take Effect
Spectrum News Austin, Aug 21

Sexual Assault: What You Need to Know
Spectrum InFocus Texas, July 28

SAFE Disability Services launches All Kids SAFE digital guide
CBS Austin, July 12

Fifth Circuit tells Texas to fix foster care system, removes other requirements
KXAN, July 9

APD receives grant to speed up rape kit testing processes
FOX7, June 27

Austin group helping men become best dads they can be through ‘Fatherhood Program’
KVUE, June 14

Governor signs HB 8 into law to end backlog of rape test kits in sex assault cases
CBS Austin, June 4

Abbott signs bills combating human trafficking, eliminating rape kit backlog
KXAN, June 4

SAFE responds to new law regarding rape kit backlogs
KVUE, June 4

Rape victim’s story of survival highlights a growing issue: APD lacks investigators
Austin American-Statesman, May 17

SAFE Alliance gets grant to help with housing
KVUE, May 22

SAFE Institute helping to create safe workplaces
KVUE, May 9

Alianza SAFE busca prevenir abuso infantil con programa de orientación familiar
Telemundo Austin, April 24

SAFE Alliance fighting to prevent child abuse in Austin
KVUE, April 23

Local leaders gathering to discuss ending cycle of violence
FOX7, April 17

Giving City: Forum for men to increase awareness, action
Austin American-Statesman, April 12

Training for Good
Austin Fit Magazine, April 1

Texas Lawmakers Propose Funding Increase to Eliminate Waitlists at Rape Crisis Centers
Texas Observer, March 19

Back to Class: ‘Changing Lives’ play teaching lessons to Pflugerville students
KVUE, March 6

SAFE’s Austin Drop-In Center aids survivors of human trafficking
The Daily Texan, February 26

Expertos aseguran que la violencia y abuso sexual se han convertido en un problema de salud pública
Univision Austin, February 20

Runaway kids may be vulnerable to sex traffickers
KVUE, February 15

SAFE Alliance Discusses CARES Program for Trafficking Survivors
Spectrum InFocus, February 10

More than a dozen bills filed in Texas legislature to address sexual assault
KXAN, February 4

Authorities must rebuild trust after sexual assault audits, groups say
Austin American-Statesman, January 17

SAFE Alliance responds to DPS audit on APD sexual assault cases cleared incorrectly
FOX7 Austin, January 17

SAFE Alliance Responds to DPS Sexual Assault Case Audit
Spectrum News Austin, January 17

Austin Police Department Orders Outside Audit After State Finds It Misclassified Cleared Rape Cases
KUT, January 16

The SAFE Alliance on Sexual Harassment / Assault
Spectrum In Focus, January 13

Sexual Harassment Training
Spectrum In Focus, January 13

APD detectives to be re-trained amid improperly cleared sexual assault cases
CBS Austin, January 7

Editorial: Faulty numbers don’t help Austin’s rape survivors
Austin American Statesman, January 4


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