Brave Alliance

06/23/2026

Why should you consider getting a medical forensic exam if you’ve experienced a sexual assault?

After an unwanted sexual experience, you have the option to get a sexual assault medical forensic exam done to preserve evidence, to prevent pregnancy or infection, or to access medical care. You can see a forensic nurse at a free community clinic or most local emergency departments. The exam is free of cost, though hospitals may bill for additional medical treatments.
If you or anyone you know has experienced sexual assault, help is available.
For Austin-specific support, atxbelieves.org can help or call Brave Alliance to schedule an exam 512.738. 8817. For advocacy support reach out to SAFE at 512.267.SAFE (7233).
RAINN also offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish through their National Sexual Assault Hotline. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673), text HOPE to 64673, or Chat at https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline.

06/23/2026

**Did You Know?**

**Non-fatal strangulation is a medical emergency—even when there are no visible injuries.**

Many people believe that if there are no bruises or marks, they are okay. Unfortunately, that isn't always true. Strangulation can cause serious internal injuries, including damage to the airway, blood vessels, and brain. Some symptoms may not appear until hours or even days later.

⚠️ **Seek immediate medical care if you experience:**
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Voice changes or hoarseness
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe headache
• Vision changes
• Neck pain or swelling
• Memory problems or confusion

At Brave Alliance, our forensic nurses provide compassionate, trauma-informed medical forensic examinations for survivors of non-fatal strangulation, sexual assault, and interpersonal violence. Our goal is to assess for injuries, document findings, answer your questions, and connect you with resources—while respecting your choices every step of the way.

💙 **You are not alone. Help is available 24/7.**

If this is a medical emergency or you are having difficulty breathing, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

📞 To learn more or access services, contact Brave Alliance.

06/21/2026

Alliance for HOPE International is dedicated to ending domestic violence and related forms of abuse. We provide training, resources, and advocacy to communities worldwide, empowering them to create lasting change. We work to improve outcomes for trauma survivors, advocate for the multi-agency collab...

06/18/2026

06/18/2026

After a sexual assault, a survivor may choose to explore legal options. Legal service providers can help survivors understand their rights and navigate these processes. Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault (LASSA) is a statewide network that provides free and confidential legal services to sexual assault survivors across Texas, including here in Travis County. LASSA offers legal education, advice, and representation—helping survivors make informed decisions and access the legal support they need.

If you are seeking legal support, you can contact the LASSA Texas Hotline:
CALL (844) 303-SAFE (7233)
Available Monday–Friday, 9 AM–7 PM

06/09/2026

💜 Help Support Brave Alliance & Prepare for Expansion 💜

Brave Alliance is expanding services for Austin and Travis County to ensure survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking, and other violent crimes have access to compassionate, trauma-informed care when they need it most.

To support this growth, we've created an Amazon Wish List with items that will help furnish and equip our new and current spaces, including soft interview spaces, offices, and forensic nursing supplies.

Every item donated helps create an environment where survivors can feel safe, supported, and empowered during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

✨ Whether it's a comfort item, office supply, furniture piece, or equipment, your generosity directly impacts the individuals and families we serve throughout Central Texas.

🛒 View our Amazon Wish List here:
https://a.co/0cPHLfBa

Thank you for helping us expand access to care, increase support for survivors, and build a stronger community together.

06/09/2026

Beginning June 8, BRAVE Alliance’s nursing team will become the primary forensic exam program in our community. They will be providing dedicated, on-call sexual assault nurse examiner services that are survivor-centered, and trauma informed. BRAVE Alliance has been a trusted partner to APD, TCSO, and SARRT in this community for years.
To learn more about this transition, you can read the City of Austin's memorandum here: https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=474493 . If you are a survivor or a community member with questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact APD Victim Services directly at 512-974-5037. Our Victim Services staff are available to help navigate resources and answer questions during this transition. For additional resources, please visit www.atxbelieves.org.

06/05/2026

Sexual violence doesn’t end when the moment does. For many survivors, the impact can show up later as post-traumatic stress.

PTSD isn’t just something that happens after combat. It can affect anyone who experiences trauma, including sexual violence. It may look like flashbacks, trouble sleeping, feeling on edge, or avoiding reminders of what happened.

These responses are not a sign of weakness—they’re how the brain tries to cope with something overwhelming.

Learning this helps us show up with more understanding, less judgment, and real support.



Learn more: https://rainn.org/mental-health-therapy-support-after-sexual-violence/how-sexual-violence-affects-mental-health/

06/04/2026

In July, Antony Jackson, CEO of We Can Now, is hoping to open the doors to a new facility in north Austin. https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/nonprofit-to-open-north-austin-homeless-facility/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KXAN_News