The City of Austin (COA) and the Austin Police Department (APD), in collaboration with partner agencies and the Austin-Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team (A/TC SARRT), are proud to announce the launch of a public service announcement (PSA) campaign to raise awareness of a newly created website: atxbelieves.org. This website was created as part of the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) project to provide access to community resources for survivors of sexual assault. 
 
The campaign will be aimed at informing the community about the critical support services available to those who have experienced sexual assault and will utilize a multi-platform approach, with PSAs appearing on:

• Broadcast Radio Stations (Bob FM, LaZeta, KGSR)
• Digital Platforms (Google Ads, APD social media, SARRT social media)
• Physical Displays (Cap Metro buses)
• Print Ads (Challenger Newspaper, El Mundo, The Republiq)

“If you or someone you know are a survivor of sexual assault, we want you to find comfort in knowing that we’re here for you and we want to help,” said Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson. “There are so many resources available and people who are ready to listen and help, many of whom are survivors themselves.”
 
This collaborative effort underscores the COA and APD's commitment to providing comprehensive support to sexual assault survivors. The campaign prioritizes survivor well-being by highlighting resources and fostering a safe space to seek help, regardless of their decision to involve law enforcement. 
 
You are NOT alone. We believe you. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, there are community resources available to help. Visit atxbelieves.org for more information.  
 
For emergencies, call 9-1-1 or reach out to SAFE: 512.267.7233, or TEXT: “SAFE” to 737.888.7233.  
 
Background:  In 2023, the Austin Police Department (APD) launched the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) project with the goal and objective of leveraging a multidisciplinary team to create a comprehensive system of change to overhaul their Sex Crimes Unit (SCU) making it a national standard of best practice for investigating and addressing sexual assault cases in the United States. It has been through the CSCRM project that the APD has had the opportunity to work collaboratively with key stakeholders including the Austin Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team (A/TC SARRT), local non-profit partners, universities, and subject matter experts, advocates, and survivors in the Austin community. 
 
The scope of the CSCRM project was derived from the settlement terms of the Smith v City of Austin and Senko v City of Austin (2022) as well as the recommendations published via the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Reported Sexual Assault Comprehensive Evaluation (2022).