LASSA Evaluation Report
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Date
2019-03
Authors
Busch-Armendariz, Noël Bridget
Bassett, Margaret
Susswein, Melanie
Wasim, Wasim
Garcia, Kimberly
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
Abstract
Description
Based on 2015 research first reported by the Institute of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
(IDVSA) at the University of Texas at Austin, sexual assault is a public health problem affecting
6.3 million women and men, or 33.2% of adult Texans over their lifetime. Yet, only 9.2% of
those in the study made reports to law enforcement. (Busch-Armendariz, Olaya-Rodriguez,
Kammer-Kerwick, Wachter, & Sulley, 2015). Survivors of sexual assault need civil legal
remedies, safety, support, and access to justice outside of the criminal justice system. In
response, Texas lawmakers during the 2015-2017 biennium allocated $10 million to Texas
Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) for the purpose of connecting legal aid service providers
across the state of Texas.
In 2015, TAJF created the Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault (LASSA) Network and
hotline with nine organizations and various legal program specialties within each agency. LASSA
provides free, comprehensive statewide legal services to survivors of sexual assault in every
Texas county.
Keywords
LCSH Subject Headings
Citation
Busch-Armendariz, N., Bassett, M., Susswein, M., Wasim, A., & Garcia, K. (2019). Innovating toward a visionary network for legal aid for survivors of sexual assault (LASSA): An empirical process to engage stakeholders, apply relevant theory, recognize practice wisdom, address liabilities, and define desired outcomes. Austin, TX: Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.