Help for victims of sexual assault.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is observed each April to raise awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it.  The term “sexual assault” is a large umbrella that includes all of the following: rape, molestation, unwanted sexual contact of any form, sexual harassment, incest, child sexual abuse, sexual violence by an intimate partner, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and voyeurism.

Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.  And every nine minutes, that victim is a child.  Meanwhile, only five out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison, according to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

Immigrant victims of sexual assaults are often afraid to report the abuse out of fear of deportation, especially when the abuser is their partner.  U.S. law protects immigrants of abuse and allows them to legally stay in the United States without sponsorship.  These crime victim-based forms of relief benefit immigrant victims who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, including undocumented immigrants and immigrants with immigration visas. 

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, you are not alone.  No matter what stage of recovery you’re at, confidential, anonymous support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for survivors and loved ones.  Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or chat online at online.rainn.org.  For immigration legal help call JFON Houston at 713-454-6470.