El Paso County declares April Sexual Assault Awareness Month; CASFV highlights services and prevention work
April 06, 2026 | El Paso County, Texas
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
El Paso County Commissioners Court on Monday declared April 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness Month and heard from the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence (CASFV) about services and prevention work in the region.
Commissioner Stone read the resolution; the court adopted it by unanimous voice vote. The resolution cites CASFV activity over the past year, including more than 500 sexual-assault helpline calls, services to more than 1,000 survivors and roughly 240 hospital accompaniment calls.
"Consent is clear. It is active. It is ongoing, and it is never assumed or implied," Sandra Nez Garcia, executive director of CASFV, told the court. She described outreach, survivor advocacy, counseling and education the organization provides and urged community participation in awareness events.
Erin Sutliff, division chief of the county's protective order unit and the board chair for CASFV, outlined protective-order work: the county obtained 56 protective orders based on sexual assault in 2024, 36 in 2025, and eight so far in 2026, she said, and added that many victims decline to pursue court processes for personal reasons.
The resolution and remarks highlighted public events CASFV has planned for April, including an art exhibit and prevention activities intended to expand public discussion about consent and survivor support. Commissioners thanked CASFV and described the month as an opportunity for education and community action.
The court did not take further formal action beyond adopting the proclamation. CASFV representatives said they will continue education, crisis response and survivor services throughout the year.
Commissioner Stone read the resolution; the court adopted it by unanimous voice vote. The resolution cites CASFV activity over the past year, including more than 500 sexual-assault helpline calls, services to more than 1,000 survivors and roughly 240 hospital accompaniment calls.
"Consent is clear. It is active. It is ongoing, and it is never assumed or implied," Sandra Nez Garcia, executive director of CASFV, told the court. She described outreach, survivor advocacy, counseling and education the organization provides and urged community participation in awareness events.
Erin Sutliff, division chief of the county's protective order unit and the board chair for CASFV, outlined protective-order work: the county obtained 56 protective orders based on sexual assault in 2024, 36 in 2025, and eight so far in 2026, she said, and added that many victims decline to pursue court processes for personal reasons.
The resolution and remarks highlighted public events CASFV has planned for April, including an art exhibit and prevention activities intended to expand public discussion about consent and survivor support. Commissioners thanked CASFV and described the month as an opportunity for education and community action.
The court did not take further formal action beyond adopting the proclamation. CASFV representatives said they will continue education, crisis response and survivor services throughout the year.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
