A Statewide Survey Report
A Supplemental Report of Survey Results for an Audit of Investigation and Prosecution Processes for Reported Sexual Assaults in Texas
October 2020
Summary Analysis
As required by House Bill 1, approved by the 86th Texas Legislature in 2019, the State Auditor’s Office (SAO) conducted an audit to examine the investigation and prosecution processes for reported adult and child sexual assaults in Texas from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2018. An Audit Report on Investigation and Prosecution Processes for Reported Sexual Assaults in Texas, (SAO Report No. 21-002) is available on the SAO Reports page. As a part of the audit methodology described in A Report on The State Auditor’s Office’s Methodology for Examining the Investigation and Prosecution Processes for Reported Sexual Assaults in Texas (SAO Report No. 20-014, December 2019), the SAO conducted a statewide survey and received responses from the following entities:
- Local Law Enforcement Agencies (i.e. city police departments and county sheriff’s offices)
- District Attorneys' Offices
- Community-based Advocacy Organizations
- Crime Laboratories
- District Clerks' Offices
Of the 1,630 entities surveyed, the SAO received responses from 1,029, a 63 percent response rate.
In addition, auditors collected statewide data for calendar years 2014 through 2018 on reported incidents, arrest charges, and court dispositions per county for sexual assaults from the Department of Public Safety.
Auditors surveyed 1,054 local law enforcement agencies (Agencies) (803 city police departments and 251 county sheriff’s offices) across Texas from February 10, 2020, through May 8, 2020. A total of 566 (54 percent) of the 1,054 Agencies surveyed submitted responses. The tables and figures presented summarize the responses received for the 44 survey questions about the agencies’ operations, investigation processes, and suggestions on how to improve the investigation process for sexual assault crimes.
Auditors surveyed 158 district attorneys’ offices across Texas from February 10, 2020, through May 8, 2020. A total of 100 (63 percent) of the 158 district attorneys’ offices surveyed submitted responses. The tables and figures presented summarize the responses received to the survey’s 30 questions about the district attorneys’ offices’ organization, prosecution processes, and feedback on how to improve the prosecution process for sexual assault crimes.
Auditors surveyed 148 community-based advocacy organizations (Organizations) that provided services to survivors of sexual assault across Texas. The survey was conducted from February 10, 2020, through May 1, 2020. A total of 125 (84 percent) of the 148 Organizations surveyed submitted responses. The tables and figures presented summarize the responses to the survey’s 18 questions about the services they provided, organizational practices, and feedback on suggested improvements to the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault crimes.
Auditors surveyed 21 crime laboratories (private, municipal, and state laboratories) across Texas from February 10, 2020, through May 1, 2020. A total of 19 (90 percent) of the 21 crime laboratories surveyed submitted responses. The tables and figures presented summarize the responses received to the survey’s 11 questions about the crime laboratories’ processing and testing of sexual assault kits and other forensic evidence.
Auditors surveyed 249 district clerks’ offices (Offices) across Texas from February 10, 2020, through May 7, 2020. A total of 219 (88 percent) of the 249 Offices surveyed submitted responses. The tables and figures presented summarize the responses to the survey’s 17 questions related to the Offices’ reporting processes to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Office of Court Administration (OCA).
Graphics, Media, Supporting documents