Williamson County Commissioners Court on April 1 unanimously approved a proclamation designating April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a measure commissioners said affirms county support for survivors and the local response network.

The proclamation recognizes county partners that respond to sexual assault and encourages community support for survivors. "I wanted to say thank you to this commissioner's court," said Ryan Bounds, chief prosecutor of the Special Victims Unit in the district attorney's office, who urged a yes vote and thanked the court for its prior support of victim-services positions.

The proclamation was read at the meeting by county staff and representatives of the county's sexual assault response team (SART). Kyla Coleman, identified herself as senior victims coordinator for the Hutto Police Department, and described SART as a multidisciplinary team that includes law enforcement, community advocacy organizations and prosecutors. "Our goal is to make sure that the response is effective, and that we have effective communication amongst prosecutors and law enforcement, and that victims are supported throughout the process," Coleman said.

The proclamation's text, as read at the meeting, cited local and national victim-service providers by name, including the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center, Hope Alliance and BRAVE Alliance, and urged the community to support survivors and prevention efforts. County leaders and service providers at the meeting said the designation provides a moment to recognize ongoing work by first responders, advocates and health providers.

A member of the public, identified in the record as Jim Dylan, spoke during the public-comment period registered to speak on the proclamation and other agenda items. Dylan criticized the idea of a proclamation as insufficient without additional action and raised broader allegations about institutional inaction; the court took no additional policy action beyond approving the proclamation.

Commissioner Bowles moved to approve the proclamation; Commissioner Long seconded. The motion passed 4-0.

Court members invited those representing SART and local service organizations to join the bench for a group photo after the vote. No ordinance, budget appropriation or program implementation was adopted at the meeting as part of the proclamation vote; the action recorded in the minutes is the court's formal adoption of the proclamation.