COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – The College Station Police Department of Victim Services has doubled its staff this year, adding a second position for the first time since it was created in 2004.

while says the FBI Violent crime nationally is down, a growing population locally and efforts to improve access to mental health care are increasing the number of victims the department can reach.

The relationship with the victims of the murder, Annalee Hugo, recently brought Sarah Clamp. Together, they reach hundreds of crime survivors in our community.

“Before we added this position and with our crazy population growth, there was only one person doing the job, so having that second person, our numbers just keep growing and growing and we’re able to serve more people and victims of various crimes. Some of those crimes that can lead to domestic violence and some of those precursor things that we would normally see. We can intervene earlier to stop the violence and so it’s not something we see later down the road as well,” Hugo said.

In the past year alone, Hugo and Clamp have made contact with over 509 survivors.

“Usually it’s their worst day, so to be able to offer a little bit of kindness and empathy and understanding and create an environment where they feel comfortable talking about, you know, the worst thing is really important.” , Clamp explained.

In the wake of Domestic Violence Awareness Month observed in October, professionals told KBTX that awareness and focus cannot escape.

“Domestic violence is definitely something that thrives on silence, and victims of domestic violence are afraid to speak up because it’s so dangerous, and we just want to make sure that, you know, the community is aware of it, so it continues to continue. it’s because people are scared and, and I think that’s why it’s so important to bring awareness,” Clamp shared.

Even so, their work does not end there. Both Hugo and Clamp work as peer support for city officers and staff around College Station.

“We work with all of our detectives, we work with officers, the crime scene, literally anyone in the department,” Hugo added. “All these first responders deal with tragedy after tragedy and have to put on their duty belt and go in there day after day. We’re so thankful for them and we’re thankful that we can give them a space to share about all of those things because a lot of times, I feel like they tend to keep those things inside and we know that it’s really important to let them out and talk . about it and they feel the things they feel because that’s what makes them human.”

For more information about victim rights, you can email or call the program at (979) 764-2642.

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