AUSTIN – Houston-area crime victims are calling for policies that address trauma, support victims, and tackle the root causes of crime.
Dozens of Houston crime victims boarded buses at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and traveled to the state capitol, where they joined more than 100 fellow crime survivors and families of murder victims from across the state for the first-ever “Survivors Speak Texas” event.
“Survivors Speak Texas” was organized by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. During a news conference, they urged lawmakers to fund the state’s first Trauma Recovery Center and pass reforms they say will help break cycles of crime.
After, crime survivors held a moving vigil to remember loved ones lost to violence.
Other things the organization wants to focus on include:
- Prioritizing rehabilitation by improving Texas’ probation system
- Supporting record sealing for those with low-level records so that they can get back to work.
With more than 180,000 members, Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice has built a movement to promote public safety policies that help the people and communities most harmed by crime and gun violence. CLICK HERE for more information.