Family Violence Criminal Homicide Taskforce Formed

“The creation of this task force is about accountability and learning directly from families and survivors. I’m hopeful its work will lead to solutions that protect families and prevent violence before it escalates.” ~Rep. Manuel, SB 1946 sponsor

“The task force’s critical work should give us insight needed to pass even more meaningful and impactful legislation and to secure critical funding for prevention, intervention, treatment and related priorities.” ~Sen. Zaffirini, SB 1946 author

Foundational Knowledge in Family Violence Lethality Risk Factors

The taskforce began their critical work together with an inaugural meeting in January. Members were eager to get to know one another, gain new knowledge about family violence in our state and start their discussions. The presentations from researchers, Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) staff, and a survivor centered on the top three factors indicating a high risk of family violence homicide: stalking, strangulation, and the presence of a firearm.

Honoring Texas Victims

For well over 20 years, TCFV has produced an annual report, Honoring Texas Victims (HTV), to document and honor victims murdered by their intimate partners in Texas. While some members are familiar with this report, others were learning about it in more detail. TCFV staff presented information from the report, and members learned that in 2024, 161 Texans were murdered by a current or former partner. They also heard that stalking triples the risk of intimate partner homicide, according to research. HTV is a critical report that ensures we not only document statistics and circumstances surrounding family violence homicides in our state, but that we honor the victims whose lives were taken by this preventable violence. This was an important grounding moment for the taskforce.

Ongoing Learning: Gaining Expertise Between Meetings

Ahead of the February meeting, members viewed webinars from experts on stalking—the first lethality factor the task force is examining. They learned about gaps in the implementation and enforcement of Texas’ stalking law and how stalking, a pattern-based offense, can continue long after a relationship ends.

Stalking Research & Responses from the Criminal Justice System

At the task force’s second meeting, a researcher and former prosecutor who facilitated a webinar joined members to engage in focused discussions on enhanced training in the criminal justice system, tools and protocols for effective risk assessment and response, and potential policy solutions. The taskforce is off to a strong start after their first two meetings and their collective passion, dedication and thoughtfulness is already evident in their discussions. More to come soon!

Stay Connected

Follow along with the taskforce’s progress through our monthly updates, and feel free to reach out to TCFV’s policy team at policy@tcfv.org with any questions or thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

Jen Mudge, TCFV’s Legislative Public Policy Manager and the voice behind this blog, can be found clocking in long hours at the Capitol during legislative session (basically her seasonal residence), advocating for policies that support survivors’ safety, rights, options, and voices. She also co-leads TCFV’s survivor involvement work and has been honored to team up with such passionate survivor advocates. Her path in domestic violence advocacy began over 25 years ago as a volunteer at a domestic and sexual violence center near her college, and while this work has always been personal to her, her advocacy has been continually shaped over the years by the experiences of family, friends, and survivors she met in shelter and as a legal advocate—which continue to drive her commitment to systems change in Texas. Outside of work she has entered her birdwatching era and finds joy and wonder in the natural world, from a lichen hugging a rock to a craggy, majestic live oak.