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Local sexual-assault resource center outlines expanding demand, holds FY26 request steady
Summary
Representatives of the Brazos Valley Sexual Assault Resource Center told the Commissioners Court their services of counseling, advocacy and crisis response grew substantially over recent years; the agency said it is not increasing its county funding request this year but remains mindful of federal funding uncertainty.
The Brazos Valley Sexual Assault Resource Center told the Commissioners Court it served nearly 500 individual clients last year, with a large share coming from Brazos County, and said it is keeping its FY26 county funding request unchanged amid rising demand.
"All of our services are free to survivors of sexual assault," Leah White, the center's director of outreach and development, told the court. White described four primary service areas — counseling, crisis intervention, education and advocacy — and said the center had 498 individual clients in 2024, with approximately 277 coming from Brazos County. White added the center provided hundreds of hours of counseling and answered 632 crisis hotline calls, and that the center is one of eight stand-alone sexual-assault organizations in Texas.
White said the center saw a 36% increase in need from 2021 to 2022 and an 18% rise in education events during that period. She told the court the FY26 request does not seek an increase over last year and that requested funds would cover outreach, a staff therapist and advocacy director and some rent, while the center continues to pursue grants and fundraising.
When commissioners asked about city funding, White said the center receives some city support and event sponsorships; she said College Station provides sponsorship for a gala but otherwise provides limited operating support. The court did not vote on funding at the workshop; the presentation will be included in budget deliberations.
