AUSTIN, Texas — Forensic exams for sexual assault survivors are set to return to Safe Alliance’s Eloise House in January under a new partnership with Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners, restoring a service the organization paused this summer because of funding challenges.

The exams will begin again at Eloise House on Jan. 3. When services resume, survivors will have another option for care at a location that also offers Safe’s advocacy and support services.

Safe Alliance CEO Dr. Pierre Berastain said the return of forensic exams has been met with an emotional response.

“I’ve seen people cry at the fact that we’re bringing back forensics to SAFE and those are our tears of joy,” Berastain said.

Berastain said Austin needs greater access to forensic exams, pointing to the gap between the estimated number of sexual assaults and the number of exams previously provided at Eloise House.

“For a city this size, we should expect to have approximately anywhere from 3,000, unfortunately, to 6,000 rapes a year,” he said. “Eloise House was providing about 600 exams a year. That tells you that the gap between how many exams we provide as a system and how many people might need those exams is quite significant.”

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Berastain announced in May that Eloise House would stop offering forensic exams after Safe lost millions in federal, state, local, and philanthropic funding. The organization also cited working under an unsustainable model.

“We were responsible for providing 95% of the exams that happened in central Texas. We also had to be responsive, as I mentioned, 24- 7, but we also had to staff as if four or five survivors would come at the same time. That meant that we had to quadruple staff nurses in a shift, even when there might not be anybody who came through doors,” he said.

“We fund the police department, the fire department, emergency services, EMS…Why can’t we make that same commitment to survivors of sexual violence,” Berastain added.

During the pause at Eloise House, Brave Alliance and hospital partners continued providing forensic exams. The new partnership with Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners is intended to expand survivors’ access to forensic care by adding another provider option.

“Being able to go to an emergency room and get services by Brave Alliance is really important. But I also think being able to have another option with a multi-provider model is really important to Austin,” said Khara Breeden, founder and CEO of Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners.

Under the new model, Berastain said less philanthropic funding is needed, and the partnership is designed to sustain the services long term.

“Let that be a lesson to all of us that forensic exams, that survivor services are not just discretionary; they are core public safety infrastructure,” he said.

Austin police said in a statement it supports the partnership:

“The Austin Police Department has long supported a multi-provider approach to sexual assault forensic exams that expands access to comprehensive, coordinated, trauma-informed care for survivors. We value our longstanding partnership with SAFE Alliance, and its continued advocacy and support services, as well as the vital roles BRAVE Alliance and our hospital partners play in providing forensic exams.

We welcome the opportunity to work with all providers and community partners through the Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team (SARRT) to coordinate services as this model evolves. Our shared priority remains ensuring survivors have access to quality care and meaningful choices.”

Breeden said TXFNE plans to offer exams from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. initially, with the possibility of expanding hours based on community need. SAFE’s advocacy services remain available 24/7; survivors can call the SAFEline at 512-267-SAFE (7233) for support and help understanding their options.

Forensic exams will begin at the Eloise House again on January 3.