GET HELP NOW: Call 800-374-HOPE | Apply for Services Online/Solicitar Servicios en Línea
Email Us | Donate | Subscribe to Stay Informed | En Español
Upcoming Events | Teen Ambassadors of Hope | Handbags & Backpacks for Hope | Black & White Ball
MEDIA INQUIRIES
[email protected]
512.476.5377 Option 4
OUR STORY
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Texas Advocacy Project's mission?
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.
Is Texas Advocacy Project a 501(c)(3)?
Yes. TAP is a 501(c)(3) certified organization.
Tax ID: 74-2237306.
What services does Texas Advocacy Project provide?
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:
- Safety Planning – All survivors receive initial safety planning
- Legal Advice and Counsel
- Assisted Pro-se (APS) - Individualized legal assistance in self-representation
- Direct Representation - For the most lethal and complex circumstances
We provide effective legal solutions such as:
- Protective Orders
- Termination of abusers’ parental rights
- Child-custody modifications
- Assistance with civil issues that affect abuse cases such as housing, employment, education and financial empowerment
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.
Does TAP coordinate with other organizations?
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:
- Austin Travis County Family Violence Task Force
- Austin Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team
- Harris County Coordinated Domestic Violence Counsel
- Harris County Human Trafficking Coalition
- Travis County’s Family Violence Prevention (FVPT) Supervisors
- Travis County Sheriff’s Office
- Allies Against Slavery and Trafficking (AST)
- Texas Appleseed's Coerced Debt Coalition
- Covid-19 Legal Services Collaboration
- Kids Living Well
- Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault Network (LASSA)
- Poverty Law Section of the State Bar
- Project Safe Expert Panel
- State Bar of Texas Family Law Task Force
- Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA)
- Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV)
- Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force
Who does TAP serve?
Texas Advocacy Project serves ALL survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, and human trafficking in the state of Texas.
- County - In 2024, we served families in 158 Texas counties - those that represent the majority of the state’s population.
- Age - In 2024, the youngest client we helped was 15 years old, and the eldest client was 93. The majority of our clients are women, aged 16-50, and their children, who live in constant fear of death or further violence.
How many victims does TAP serve?
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.
Who leads TAP?
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
How can we find/tag TAP on social media?
What awards has TAP received?
2024
- Heather Bellino, CEO - Maura Women Helping Women Award from the Texas Women's Foundation
2023
- Heather Bellino, CEO - Nominated for Austin Business Journal's 2023 Best CEO Awards
- Sarah Lackey, Managing Social Worker - Voted St. Edward's Social Work Program's Field Instructor of the Year
2022
2021
- Allison Neal, Managing Attorney - Texas Access to Justice Commission’s prestigious James B. Sales Boots on the Ground Award
- Denise Margo Moy, Chief Operating Officer - Noble Award from the Poverty Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
2020
- Keri Ward, Managing Attorney - Texas Access to Justice Commission’s prestigious James B. Sales Boots on the Ground Award
- Denise Margo Moy, Chief Operating Officer- Texas Academy of Family Physicians Unsung Hero Award
2016
- Bronwyn Blake, Chief Legal Officer - Texas Access to Justice Commission’s James B. Sales Boots on the Ground Award
2010
- Denise Margo Moy, Chief Operating Officer- National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Outstanding Service Award
2006
- Bronwyn Blake, Chief Legal Officer - Greenlights for Nonprofit Success Nonny Award
- Bronwyn Blake, Chief Legal Officer - Teen Justice Initiative Poster Contest “Best Way to Get the Message Across Without Saying a Word”
- Bronwyn Blake, Chief Legal Officer - One of GENaustin’s Volunteers of the Year
2005
- Bronwyn Blake, Chief Legal Officer – 1st ever UT Faculty Fellowship in Public Interest Law from the William
- Bronwyn Blake, Chief Legal Officer – UT Co-op Public Interest Award
- Bronwyn Blake, Chief Legal Officer - One of GENaustin’s Volunteers of the Year
- Texas Law Fellowship
2001
- Denise Margo Moy, Chief Operating Officer – 1st ever University Co-Op Public Interest Award (aka William Wayne Justice Center Award)