Melby Huerta – Victim Services Manager
About This Program
ACCPD’s Victim Services program provides support and advocacy to students, faculty, staff, and visitors who have been impacted by crime, violence, or other traumatic events within the Austin Community College community.
Our services are designed to help individuals navigate the impact of a traumatic experience and connect with appropriate campus and community resources. Victim Services provides information, advocacy, crisis support, safety planning, referrals, and assistance navigating available resources and options.
We work collaboratively with the Austin Community College Police Department, ACC departments, and community partners to support the safety and well-being of individuals impacted by crime while respecting their privacy, choices, and individual needs.
Our approach is trauma-informed and victim-centered. We recognize that each person’s experience with trauma is unique. We provide a supportive environment where individuals can receive information, explore available options, and identify resources that best meet their needs.
Mission Statement
The mission of ACCPD Victim Services is to provide accessible, trauma-informed, victim-centered support that promotes safety, empowerment, healing and access to justice for ACC students, employees and campus community members impacted by crime.
Victim Services
ACC Victim Services provides support and advocacy to students, faculty, staff and visitors who have been impacted by crime, violence or other traumatic events.
Services are available to individuals affected by a wide range of experiences, including:
- Assault or other violent crime
- Sexual assault or sexual harassment
- Dating, domestic or family violence
- Stalking or threats
- Harassment or intimidation
- Property crime or theft
- Identity theft
- Other crimes or traumatic events
- Situations involving concerns for personal safety, even when a crime has not been reported
How We Can Help
Victim Services can provide:
- Crisis intervention and emotional support
- Victim Advocacy
- Safety planning
- Information about reporting options and available resources
- Assistance navigation the criminal justice process
- Referrals to counseling, medical, legal and community resources
- Assistance with Crime Victim Compensation resources
- Support navigation academic or campus-related concerns
- Coordination with ACC departments, law enforcement and community partners
- Follow-up support and resource connection.
Every person’s response to trauma is different. Victim Services provides a supportive, nonjudgemental environment where individuals can ask questions, explore their options and make informed decisions about their next steps.
Support Available Through the ACC Police Department
ACC Police Department may also provide law enforcement and safety services based on an individual’s circumstance, including:
- Welfare checks
- Campus escorts
- Criminal Trespass Warnings
- Enforcement of applicable protective orders
- Other appropriate law enforcement and safety measure
Victim Services and the ACC Police Department work collaboratively while maintaining distinct roles to support the safety and well-being of the ACC community.
Resources
| Resource | Details | Service Website |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Attorney General’s Crime Victims | Information on state sponsored services offered. | Visit Website |
| Texas Attorney General’s Crime Victims Compensation | Information on eligibility and application for the CV compensation fund. | Visit Website |
| SAFE Alliance | SAFE provides services to survivors of sexual and domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking/exploitation. | Visit Website |
| Suicide Hotline | Suicide and crisis hotline phone: 988 | Visit Website |
| National Alliance on Mental Illness | Offers education programs, advocates for individuals and families affected by mental illness. | Visit Website |
| Central Texas Food Bank | Food distribution for those in need. | Visit Website |
| National Domestic Violence Hotline | Provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse. 800-799-7233 or Text “Start” to 88788. | Visit Website |
| National Sexual Violence Resource Center | Provides information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. | Visit Website |
| VAWNET Gender Based Violence Resource | An online network focused on violence against women and other forms of gender-based violence. | Visit Website |
| American Red Cross | Disaster Assistance by providing relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies | Visit Website |
| National Human Trafficking Hotline | Connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and supports to get help and stay safe. | Visit Website |
Notice For Adult Survivors of Sexual Assault
- Bastrop County Adult Survivor Handout
- Condado de Bastrop Folleto Para Sobrevivientes Adultos
- Hays County Adult Survivor Handout
- Condado de Hays Folleto Para Sobrevivientes Adultos
- Travis County Adult Survivor Handout
- Condado de Travis Folleto Para Sobrevivientes Adultos
- Williamson County Adult Survivor Handout
- Condado de Williamson Folleto Para Sobrevivientes Adultos
Know Your Rights
Crime Victims’ Rights -18 U.S. Code § 3771
Crime Victims’ Rights -18 U.S. Code § 3771
- (a)Rights of Crime Victims.—A crime victim has the following rights:
- (1)The right to be reasonably protected from the accused.
- (2)The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused.
- (3)The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding.
- (4)The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding.
- (5)The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case.
- (6)The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law.
- (7)The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay.
- (8)The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim’s dignity and privacy.
- (9)The right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement.
- (10)The right to be informed of the rights under this section and the services described in section 503(c) of the Victims’ Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 10607(c)) [1] and provided contact information for the Office of the Victims’ Rights Ombudsman of the Department of Justice.
Contact Victim Services
To request services or if you have any questions, please contact the ACCPD Victim Services Unit at accvictimservices@austincc.edu or Victim Services Manager Melby Huerta at 512-223-7293.