How an advocacy group addressed crime solutions in Austin

On a day primarily dominated by talks about things like tech and transportation, Ingrid Archie and Aswad Thomas shared their experience as crime victims.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On a day primarily dominated by talks about things like tech and transportation, Ingrid Archie and Aswad Thomas shared their experience as crime victims during a South by Southwest panel.

"That's unique for SXSW, to have a conversation is about safety," Thomas said.

He and Archie work for the Alliance for Safety and Justice, a group that advocates for wraparound services for crime victims as well as people with criminal records who are trying to get back on track. The goal is to stop a cycle of violence.

"The opportunity for me to share my story as a victim of gun violence and the experience of not receiving any services or resources, and learning the person who shot me was also a victim of gun violence as well," Thomas said.

Archie's work primarily involves people with prior records.

"Often times people with records, a lot of the times were victims first. Like my story. I was victimized before I got a record," she said. "It's just important that when we face these barriers we create solutions."

The Alliance for Safety and Justice played a role in bringing a Trauma Recovery Center to Austin, the first facility of its kind in Texas. The center opened in October and provides things like free mental health, counseling, case management and employment services to trauma victims.

According to Austin Public Health, in the first three months of operation, the center held 259 visits with 153 clients.

"Making sure people are educated and understanding that in serving our population we are intentional about shifting the narrative about what public safety looks like, rooted in solutions, rooted in winning, rooted in upward mobility," Archie said.