TDH Booklet4 - Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Eduardo J. Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H.
Commissioner of Health
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, Texas 78756-3199
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us
1-888-963-7111
Ben Delgado
Chief Operating Officer
Nicolas Curry, M.D., M.P.H.
Executive Deputy Commissioner
January 9, 2004
The Texas Department of Health (TDH) is pleased to present “A Strategic Plan to Prevent Violence Against
Women in Texas”, a strategic plan developed by the Violence Against Women Prevention Advisory
Committee (VAWPAC). This plan is the result of extensive work over the last year by the VAWPAC, a diverse
group of community-based, public, nonprofit, health care, and research professionals and individuals that
examined how the problems of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking could be addressed as a public
health concern. The VAWPAC utilized Texas based research on prevalence and promising practices in
prevention in order to develop recommendations about what can be done in Texas to prevent violence against
women. They also used the results of a survey that looked at current primary prevention activities across the
state.
This strategic planning project was funded through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) to the Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Women’s Health. This project focused on
primary prevention of violence against women because in Texas there are already two state level agencies,
the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) and the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV),
that plan for and provide intervention services. These organizations worked closely with TDH in this strategic
planning process.
We wish to thank the members of the VAWPAC for their efforts and commitment to this project. We would
also like to especially thank the representatives of TAASA and TCFV for their time and partnership.
Violence against women is a critical public health concern in Texas. It is an issue that requires a
comprehensive approach to prevention that goes beyond the current system. These recommendations can
guide efforts to partner with individuals, organizations and communities in Texas to protect, promote, and
improve health by working to reduce and eliminate interpersonal violence. TDH cannot begin to implement
these recommendations alone. Implementation will require commitment from and the mobilization of
individuals, organizations and communities. We look forward to our continued involvement with other Texas
partners and strongly encourage others to join with us in our collective efforts to end violence against
women. Only by working together can we hope to see a day when women and children are spared the
tragedy of interpersonal violence.
Sincerely,
Debra Wanser, R.N., M.P.Aff
Associate Commissioner for Family Health
An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer