Dear Friends,

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Texas Advocacy Project (formerly Women's Advocacy Project), is on the front lines of the battle to end sexual violence once and for all in Texas.

Please read on about some of the shocking statistics concercing sexual assault in America, but before you do, consider this:

Texas Advocacy Project provides free legal services to victims statewide. We are the only organization that specializes in domestic violence and sexual assault, and provides free services across the state without regard to the victim's income. YOUR SUPPORT OF TEXAS ADVOCACY PROJECT HELPS ENSURE THAT NO VICTIME OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT WILL HAVE TO FACE IT WITHOUT LEGAL REPRESENTATION. Please click here to make a donation.

Currently the United States has the highest rate of sexual assault in any industrialized nation in the world.  That is why it is so important to recognize the victimization that is happening throughout the country, and reach out to those who are afraid to ask for help.

Here are just a few startling statistics:

• The instances of sexual assault in the U.S. are 4 times higher than that of Germany, 13 times higher than that of England and 20 times higher than that of Japan.
• 78% of women raped or physically assaulted since they turned 18 were assaulted by a current or former husband, live-in partner or date. 17% were victimized by an acquaintance, 9% by a relative other than a husband and only 14% were assaulted by a stranger.
• 6 out of 10 sexual assaults occur in the home of the victim or the home of a friend, neighbor or relative.
• 21% of convicted rapists are never sentenced to jail or prison time, and 24% receive time in local jail which means that they spend an average of less than 11 months behind bars.

At Texas Advocacy Project our mission is to help victims who find themselves in situations of sexual, physical, or mental abuse.  Our services span a wide range in order to ensure safety through every step of the legal process.  In many cases our attorneys contact victims within hours of their offender's arrest to discuss their legal options and provide them with safety planning and other resources.  Our program also enables victims  to obtain protective orders and guides them through the step-by-step process of obtaining a divorce. 

The most important part of our services is that Texans in need can access our help for free.  Many victims are afraid to attempt to escape an abusive relationship because they cannot afford the cost of an attorney.  Texas Advocacy Project ensures that even low-income victims have accessibility to proper legal proceedings.

Our work here has made a huge impact on many lives.  For example, here is what one of our clients had to say:

"‘Thank you' barely begins to describe how appreciative I am for the work you've done.  You have helped me get a peaceful ending to a very rocky marriage.  I never thought I would be in an abusive marriage and also never thought I would have the courage to get out.  Because of you I did "get out" legally and can now be myself again.  Thank you so very much for your patience in answering my questions and your guidance through all of the legal documentation and proceedings."

Nearly one-third of all Texans reported severe sexual or physical abuse at some point in their lives.

As we recognize the importance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, please take this opportunity to make a donation to Texas Advocacy Project in honor of a special woman in your life, or in the name of a victim or abuse survivor.  Without your constant support, we could not accomplish all of the work that we do here at The Project.  Many thanks to all of you that make our mission a success.

For more information on Texas Advocacy Project, please visit our website at www.texasadvocacyproject.org.

family violence legal line

800-374-hope (Statewide)

512-476-5770 (In Austin)

family law hotline

800-777-fair (Statewide)

512-476-1866 (In Austin)

sexual assault legal hotline

888-296-safe (Statewide)

512-225-9290 (In Austin)

technical advocacy hotline

888-325-safe (Statewide)

512-476-5386 (In Austin)