Forensic Exams to Resume at Eloise House in January
The Austin facility will reopen for exams starting January 3, 2027, through a new partnership.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Survivors of sexual assault in Austin will again have access to forensic exams at Eloise House starting January 3, 2027. Safe Alliance is resuming these services through a new partnership with Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners following a suspension of operations that began in May 2026.
Why it matters
The return of these exams at Eloise House aims to expand local access to forensic care after Safe Alliance previously cited funding challenges and staffing shortages for the service pause. During the interim, survivors relied on other hospital partners and networks for these critical procedures.
Eloise House previously conducted 600 forensic exams per year, representing a portion of the 3,000 to 6,000 estimated annual rapes in the city. New operations at the site are set for 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, while 24/7 advocacy support remains available through the Safe Alliance helpline.
The players
Safe Alliance
An Austin-based organization that provides 24/7 advocacy services and coordinates local forensic care for sexual assault survivors.
Eloise House
A dedicated Austin facility that serves as the central hub for forensic sexual assault examinations.
Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners
A group that will operate the forensic exam services at Eloise House through a new partnership.
Brave Alliance
A local organization that provided forensic exams to survivors during the service suspension at Eloise House.
The details
Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners will oversee the forensic exams at Eloise House under a new multi-provider model designed to move away from the reliance on philanthropic funding that led to the earlier suspension. While the facility plans to operate from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. upon reopening, providers may adjust these hours as demand requires. Survivors have continued to access support through other local hospital networks and Brave Alliance during the period when Safe Alliance suspended its own forensic care.
Timeline
May 2026: Safe Alliance stopped offering forensic exams.
January 3, 2027: Forensic exams resume at Eloise House.
The Texas Context
This service restoration marks a departure from the historical reliance on private philanthropic funding for sexual assault forensic exams in central Texas. The new partnership model aims to stabilize operations after previous financial and staffing constraints forced a long-term service pause.
Starting January 3, 2027, survivors in the Austin area will regain access to forensic exams at Eloise House between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. The facility is returning to the city's care network to supplement the exams currently managed by other local hospital partners.
The takeaway
The return of this facility restores a key component of the city's forensic care network for assault survivors. Residents should continue to utilize the existing 24/7 Safe Alliance helpline for immediate advocacy needs while awaiting the reopening of clinical exams in January.
What happens next
Forensic services at Eloise House are scheduled to resume operations on January 3, 2027.
Further reading
Find more information on local support resources in our Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KEYE.
