Strip Club 'Pole Tax' Helps Fund Sexual Assault Victim Centers

The cost to catch a show at adult entertainment clubs across the state of Texas now has customers paying the price for the industry's downside.

Counseling, clothing, and comfort are all things sexual assault victims can get from the rape and suicide crisis center of Southeast Texas. But those things come with a cost.

"Even with the monies we get from the governor's office, the office of attorney general and united way...there are not enough dollars to cover all the victims that we have throughout the state," said Cheryl Williams from the Crisis Center of Southeast Texas.

So the state has come up with a new source of funding.

State legislators passed a five dollar-per-customer tax on topless clubs in May to support non-profit organizations that help sexual assault victims, like the Crisis Center of Southeast Texas.

The so-called 'pole tax' which went into effect on the first of this year is much needed extra cash for the crisis center which raises most, if not all, of the $200,000 budget it works off of annually.

"It would behoove us as a community to take care of the people in the community who need these services," said Williams.

KFDM contacted three adult clubs here in Southeast Texas to comment on this story. Only one, Dream Street, commented, saying they're still considering the legality of the tax. The other two never returned repeated phone calls and messages from us.

Other clubs across the state say while the money 'is' going to a good cause. It's unfair to associate the industry with sex crimes.

State Representative Joe Deshotel voted for the tax. He says the association 'is' justified.

“Like a tax on gambling, or anything else that has a downside, if you want to participate in it, you're going to help pay for the downside and that's what this does," said Deshotel.

“There has to be a starting point somewhere," he said.

Even though it may not be popular with some people, Williams says this tax is positive for people in need.

The state tax is expected to raise $40 million a year.

With that new funding coming in, the center is looking to hire two more employees, and are always happy to have more volunteers help out.

If you're interested, call the Crisis Center of Southeast Texas at 832-6530.