As the Austin City Council considers how it can address racism as a public health crisis, local crime survivors made an emotional plea Thursday for public safety funds to be redirected to establish Texas’ first trauma recovery center. The center would serve victims of violence, especially those from communities most harmed by crime and violence, who are disproportionately underserved. 

Most crime victims and Americans with mental health issues  don’t receive support or treatment, according to a new nationwide survey released today, called “America’s Safety Gaps Survey.” Less than one-third of crime victims receive help following their victimization and less than half of Americans with a mental health or substance abuse issue receive treatment, a gap that undermines the ability to stop cycles of crime and the resulting harm.