Texas Government Code 141.001 – Sexual Assault Victim Services Court Program Defined
In this chapter, “sexual assault victim services court program” means a program that has the following essential characteristics:
(1) the integration of services provided by public agencies and community organizations for victims in sexual assault cases who voluntarily agree to participate in the program;
(2) the use of prosecutors with experience in prosecuting sexual assault cases and judges with experience in hearing sexual assault cases;
(3) early identification and prompt assignment of eligible cases to the court designated under Section 141.002(b);
(4) access for victims participating in the program to counseling and other related services provided by public agencies and community organizations;
(5) development of partnerships with public agencies and community organizations;
(6) monitoring and evaluation of program goals and effectiveness;
(7) continuing interdisciplinary education to promote effective program planning, implementation, and operations;
(8) inclusion of a participant’s family members who voluntarily agree to be involved in the services provided to the participant under the program;
(9) prosecution of sexual assault offenses;
(10) issuance of protective orders for victims on the victim’s consent and as authorized by state law; and
(11) continued monitoring of sexual assault defendants through prosecution and adjudication and for the duration of convicted offenders’ sentences.