If you have ever thought of prosecuting your assault case, but have decided not to out of fear of being judged or not being believed, call us. We are here to help victims have a voice.

The Turning Point offers legal advocacy to victims of sexual assault. This means that you do not have to prosecute your case on your own. You will be offered accompaniment and support throughout the entire process. Prosecution is one way a victim can fight back and hold the perpetrator accountable.

Sexual assault is not ever, under any circumstance, the victim's fault.

Medical Accompaniment
The Turning Point provides trained advocates for the survivors of sexual assault at hospitals located in Collin County. Advocates provide support, information, and advocacy. The Turning Point also sponsors the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program at Collin County hospitals. This program offers nurses specifically trained in sexual assault and forensic evidence collection to perform sexual assault exams, if authorized by the survivor and law enforcement.

Legal Advocacy
An advocate specifically trained in legal and criminal justice issues is available, upon request, to accompany survivors to court appearances and law enforcement agencies. Also, legal advocates can assist survivors with Crime Victims Compensation, Victim Impact Statements, victim’s rights, letters to parole boards, and legal referrals. The legal advocate is in a unique position to follow the victim throughout the entire progress of their case through the legal and criminal justice systems.

• “Statutory Rape” -- Texas does not have a statutory rape charge. Texas law holds that no person under 17 can consent to sexual intercourse. Thus, all acts of intercourse with someone under 17 are technically sexual assault. However, the state will only prosecute cases where there is a 3-year age difference between the two participants. For example, the state will not prosecute two 16 year olds having “consensual” sex, but the state can prosecute a 17 year old having sex with a 14 year old, even if both claim it was “consensual.”
• If someone was forced to have sex against his/her will, it is sexual assault, no matter the age of the victim or assailant.
• The statute of limitations on sexual assault is 10 years unless DNA evidence is collected (then there is no statute of limitations).
• There is no statute of limitations (as of September 1, 2007) for the crimes of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault or continuous sexual abuse of young child or children, or indecency with a child (per various sections of the Texas Penal Code).
• If you choose to report a sexual assault, go to a hospital in the county where the crime occurred for a sexual assault forensic exam (rape kit). A SANE exam may be done at law enforcement's expense within the first 96 hours following an assault.