Get to Know Your Legislative Officials
Advocacy begins with grassroots. Establishing relationships with your legislators and community leaders is key. Find out who represents you on both the state and national level.
POLICY ADVOCACY
Safety, Justice, and Opportunity
TCFV seeks to make systemic, policy, and legal changes to benefit Texas domestic violence survivors and their families. TCFV advocates before the Texas Legislature, Congress, and relevant state and federal agencies to create access to safety, justice, and opportunity for all. Before each state legislative session, TCFV works with allied partners, family violence advocates, and survivors themselves to craft an agenda in support of survivors of domestic violence. TCFV also seeks to meaningfully implement laws and create systems change via participation in the state and federal regulatory process which is commonly referred to as the rulemaking process.
At the close of each legislative session, TCFV releases a comprehensive update that not only outlines our legislative accomplishments but acknowledges all those who lent their time and voices to effect change in the movement to end domestic violence.
Pioneers & Groundbreakers
Senator
Jane Nelson
Senator Jane Nelson continues to be a fierce advocate for domestic violence survivors at the Texas Legislature. During her tenure as a lawmaker, she has been a steady voice for survivor safety and empowerment, supporting legislation including expanding survivors’ rights to terminate their leases without penalty so that they are able to secure alternate safe housing. As the Senate Finance Committee Chair, she advocates for full funding for family violence service providers ensuring survivors have the resources to escape dangerous living situations and begin lives free from violence. TCFV is honored to work alongside this amazing woman who continues to pioneer and inspire those who follow in her footsteps.
Senator
Royce West
For more than 20 years, Senator Royce West has led key legislative measures to ensure access to safety for survivors of family violence and minor victims of dating violence. Senator West authored legislation for minors to seek supportive services from a family violence shelter in emergency situations. Senator West also authored groundbreaking legislation which created laws to support domestic violence victims by prohibiting certain abusive partners from possessing a firearm. Senator West continues this work with his leadership on proposals relating to firearms transfer protocols and a holistic response to dating violence. With his long-term commitment to survivors in Texas, TCFV is proud to work alongside Senator West.
Act to Impact
Every voice counts! Join us as we continue to create new and innovative ways to engage advocates, increase awareness, and magnify our message.
PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE
Allied Advocates
TCFV follows a deliberate process in developing its substantive legislative priorities. A key component of this process is our Public Policy Committee, comprised of a diverse group of those involved in addressing family violence response in our state. The committee includes victims, family violence advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors, educators, the judiciary, and others. The committee’s feedback and guidance represent an instrumental component of vetting ideas and focusing on measures that will be most impactful and achievable. Members of the committee also play a critical role in strategy and advocacy throughout the legislative session.