Lubbock detective urges victims to report assaults, seek exams and support

Detective Olivia Boggs of the Lubbock Police Department Special Victims Unit urged people who experience "****** assault" to report incidents, seek medical exams within applicable time frames and contact available support services, saying the department received 207 such cases in 2024.

Boggs, who said she has worked in the Special Victims Unit for about 13 years, described reporting and investigative steps victims can take and what they might expect from the criminal-justice process.

"The number 1 thing is have it reported," Boggs said, adding that the next steps often include a medical exam when the time frame allows and finding someone to talk with. "Once the report is written, then it is assigned to a detective."

She advised victims and witnesses to provide any details they can remember — "such as a smell, what they heard" — because those specifics become part of the investigation. Boggs cautioned that investigations are not always quick: "Sometimes, like as you see on TV, it's not as fast as people think that it is. It could be months, before we could get any kind of results back."

Boggs emphasized that detectives in the Special Victims Unit are dedicated to these cases and encouraged cooperation from victims: "I would suggest that all the victims cooperate in the case because our number 1 goal at the end of the day is to bring justice to all of the victims." She also said victims uncertain where to start can "always start with their detective."

The comments combined a short description of common case characteristics — including that most victims knew the alleged perpetrator — with practical advice about reporting, evidence and support resources. Boggs noted multiple resources exist but did not specify names or contact details during the remarks.

The remarks were a brief presentation of investigative procedure and victim guidance; no formal policy changes or actions were announced.