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512.476.5377 Option 4
Texas Advocacy Project (TAP) works to end dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, and human trafficking in Texas. TAP empowers survivors through free legal and social services, as well as access to the justice system, and raises awareness through public outreach and education. Our attorneys, staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors are dedicated to our vision of a future where all Texans live free from abuse.
Established in 1982 by a group of young lawyers, TAP started as a legal hotline. In the decades since, they have evolved into an expert on legal issues affecting survivors. TAP’s comprehensive approach addresses both the legal and social needs of survivors. They offer a statewide legal line, free civil legal services, and social services tailored to survivors’ unique challenges. TAP’s solutions provide both immediate protection and long-term stability, including protective orders, termination of abusers’ parental rights, and child custody modifications. They also assist with civil legal matters that can impact abuse cases, such as housing, employment, education, and financial empowerment. Texas Advocacy Project serves all Texans. Additionally, TAP offers educational seminars, available in person, virtually, and on demand, with eligibility for CEUs, CLEs, and other professional development credits.
Texas Advocacy Project is prepared to share its expertise with the media, offering subject matter experts on critical issues, legal rights, and available resources related to dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, child abuse, and human trafficking.
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Texas Advocacy Project (TAP) works to end dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, and human trafficking in Texas. TAP empowers survivors through free legal and social services, as well as access to the justice system, and raises awareness through public outreach and education. Our attorneys, staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors are dedicated to our vision of a future where all Texans live free from abuse.
Yes. TAP is a 501(c)(3) certified organization.
Tax ID: 74-2237306.
TAP empowers survivors through free legal and social services, as well as access to the justice system. TAP’s comprehensive approach addresses both the legal and social needs of survivors.
Survivors’ needs are vetted in order to provide appropriate services, including:
We provide effective legal solutions such as:
As an expert on legal issues affecting survivors, we provide free trainings to the public and those that work with survivors including: domestic violence and sexual assault shelters, judges, prosecutors, crime victim services personnel, medical professionals, universities and students.
As a statewide agency, Texas Advocacy Project has formalized partnerships with 142 agencies. These agencies include family violence centers, rape crisis centers, legal aid, medical partners, children's advocacy centers, human trafficking centers, social services agencies, colleges and universities, coordinated community response groups, and counseling centers. Additionally, TAP is a member of two national, 11 statewide, and 23 regional crime victim services task forces including:
Texas Advocacy Project serves ALL survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, and human trafficking in the state of Texas.
Legal Line Calls: In 2023, we received 10,197 calls and online requests for our legal services.
Cases: In 2024, we closed 5,426 individual cases affecting 11,705 victims of violence.
Heather Bellino, Chief Executive Officer, oversees the agency's operations, funding and service delivery. Bellino has been with TAP for over 18 years.
Denise Margo Moy, Chief Operating Officer, our highest-ranking attorney, fulfills the role of grant compliance and oversight on all cases. Moy graduated from UT School of Law and has been with TAP for over 23 years.
Bronwyn Blake, Chief Legal Officer, oversees our legal department. Blake graduated from UT School of Law, will serve as Adjunct Professor at UT Law beginning 2021 and has been with TAP for over 18 years.
Jeremy Rathke, Chief Financial Officer, oversees financial management, administration, and compliance to ensure financial excellence as the agency strategizes for growth. Rathke graduated from UT Austin and has been with TAP for 6 years.
Amanda Elkanick Oder, Chief Advocacy &Education Officer, directs all trainings and outreach programs to the public. Oder has 15 years of experience working with survivors, including as a Shelter Director and has been with TAP for over 8 years.
Debbie Tate, Chief Development & Marketing Officer
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