Texas Advocacy Project, Inc.

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States delivered a ruling in the case of US v. Rahimi, upholding the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), which prohibits individuals subject to domestic-violence protective orders from possessing firearms. "This ruling is a monumental step forward in protecting the lives of domestic violence survivors in Texas and beyond. It underscores the necessity of strong legal measures to prevent abusers from accessing firearms, which are too often used to perpetuate violence. Our commitment to providing legal and social services to those in need remains unwavering." -Bronwyn Blake, TAP Chief Legal Officer #SCOTUS #LiveFreeFromAbuse #SupremeCourt #Justice #believesurvivors #domesticviolence #laws #ruling #firearms

We're partnering with Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) for this month's featured webinar! 💜 Join us for an enlightening workshop that dives into the dynamics of sexual assault, exploring how trauma shapes the experiences and responses of survivors. We will unpack the complexities of consent and coercion, empowering participants with a nuanced understanding of the laws surrounding sexual violence. 🔜 Register at https://lnkd.in/ggSajrcn #LiveFreeFromAbuse #Webinar #SAAM #SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth #SAAM2025 #SA #Legal #Texas #Survivors #BelieveSurvivors Crystal M. Garcia, MAS Miesha Aubrey, Esq.

🎉 Congratulations to our very own Debbie Tate 🎉 We are thrilled to share that our Chief Development & Marketing Officer, Debbie Tate, has been honored with the Liberty Bell Award by the Austin Young Lawyer's Association! 🏆 This prestigious award recognizes a non-lawyer who has made a selfless and lasting impact on their community by promoting a deeper understanding of the law and strengthening the American justice system. Debbie’s unwavering dedication to the mission of Texas Advocacy Project has profoundly advanced our work in defending and empowering survivors of abuse. Her leadership, compassion, and tireless advocacy have helped ensure that more Texans have access to the justice and safety they deserve. Please join us in celebrating Debbie’s incredible achievement and well-deserved recognition! 💜⚖️ #LibertyBellAward #AYLA #TexasAdvocacyProject #JusticeForAll #Gratitude #Leadership #HonoringHeroes #LiveFreeFromAbuse

TAP is full of superheroes—from our courageous survivors to our hardworking team and our fearless leader, Heather Bellino. She's just the first with an action figure to prove it! Who's next?! #aiactionfigure #advocacyisasuperpower #femaleleaders #femaleCEOs #LiveFreeFromAbuse #TexasAdvocacyProject

Houston Area Women's Center congratulations on the opening of your new facility! 💜 Proud to partner with you. One Safe Place Houston is a 5.5-acre campus designed to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. This facility offers 135 supportive housing apartments, a 24-hour crisis response and assessment center, and a Survivor Economic Empowerment Hub for job skills training and financial resources. Amanda Elkanick Oder Kaitlyn Eberhardt Emilee Whitehurst

💜 Testifying for Safety: The Safe Salon Act 💜 Last week, our Chief Advocacy and Education Officer, Amanda Elkanick Oder, testified before the Texas House in support of the Safe Salon Act (HB 837)—a bill that would require cosmetologists and barbers to complete training on recognizing the signs of domestic violence and knowing how to assist victims. The Safe Salon Act acknowledges what stylists already know: they’re often confidants, not just service providers. It’s about equipping those trusted professionals with the tools to recognize red flags and respond with care, compassion, and resources. For survivors of domestic violence, a salon appointment may be one of the only times they’re alone, or the only moment they feel safe enough to share their story. That’s why this bill matters. We know that a salon is more than a place for a haircut—it’s a sanctuary, a space where we are seen, heard, and cared for. We were proud to support this legislation and grateful for the opportunity to amplify the voices of survivors through advocacy and action. We believe this bill could save lives. And we’ll keep showing up until it passes. ✂️💜 #SafeSalonAct #AdvocacyInAction #TexasAdvocates #EndDomesticViolence #SupportSurvivors #TexasLegislature #ATXhairstylists #TexasHairStylists #TexasBarbers #Barbers #Hairstylists #LiveFreeFromAbuse #TexasAdvocacyProject

This award is so well-deserved!! Thank you, Debbie Tate, CFRE, CFRM, for your tireless work to protect victims, prevent abuse, and educate our community. We are so honored to have you on our team!

🎥 WATCH: Bronwyn Blake Testifies Before the Texas Senate on Survivor Privacy In this powerful testimony before the Texas Senate, our Chief Legal Officer Bronwyn Blake speaks on behalf of survivors of sexual violence—those who are too often forced to choose between seeking justice and protecting their privacy. Bronwyn testified in support of SB 836, introduced by Senator Angela Paxton which would: 🔒 Limit live streaming of sensitive court proceedings 🕊️ Provide flexibility in pseudonym requests 🛡️ Strengthen protections for private information in protective orders Every day, survivors weigh the deeply personal decision of whether to come forward. SB 836 ensures that their safety and dignity aren’t sacrificed in the process. The bill passed in the Senate and is now making its way through the House, where a companion bill, HB 1686, has been introduced by Rep. Lacey Hull. Companion bills allow legislation to move through both chambers simultaneously, helping critical protections like these reach survivors faster. Bronwyn also testified before the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence last Tuesday in support of HB 1686, and we now eagerly await the committee’s vote. We thank Bronwyn for her testimony and her continued work to protect victims of power-based abuse. #SB836 #SurvivorJustice #TexasSenate #TexasAdvocacyProject #PrivacyForSurvivors #EndSexualViolence #AdvocacyMatters #LiveFreeFromAbuse #HB1686 #TexasLegislativeSession89 #89thLegislativeSession

Do you know a teen who cares about making a difference? Teen Ambassadors of Hope equips young people with the tools to build healthy relationships, prevent dating violence, and become advocates in their schools and communities. It begins with a powerful half-day training followed by a two-week awareness and fundraising challenge. We’ve seen teens walk away with confidence, clarity, and a strong sense of purpose. 🗓️ Registration closes this Friday! If there’s a teen in your life—your child, niece, nephew, student, or family friend—who would benefit from this experience, please share this with them. Let’s help the next generation grow into informed, empowered leaders. 💜 Register Now: https://lnkd.in/eMQGf3p6 #TeenAdvocates #TexasAdvocacyProject #YouthLeadership #HealthyRelationships #DatingViolencePrevention #NonprofitLeadership

Last week, our Managing Attorney, Micala Clark, joined an incredible panel of legal advocates at The University of Houston Law Center for "Justice for Her", a special Women's Week program. At Texas Advocacy Project, we know that access to legal resources can be life-changing for survivors. Conversations like these are critical in shaping the future of justice and ensuring survivors have the support they need to break free from abuse. We’re honored to have Micala represent TAP in these important discussions. A huge thank you to the University of Houston Law Center for hosting this panel and to all the legal professionals dedicated to advocating for survivors. Together, we’re working toward a future where justice isn’t just a possibility—it’s a reality. 💜 #JusticeForHer #WomensWeek #LegalAdvocacy #TexasAdvocacyProject #LiveFreeFromAbuse