News Release

Texas Access to Justice Foundation 
April 6, 2016

Texas Legal Hotline Now Available for Survivors of Sexual Assault
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

AUSTIN, TX – As the nation recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, the Texas Access to Justice Foundation has announced Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault (LASSA), a new and vital network of services now available to survivors of sexual assault in Texas who qualify for legal aid.   

One in five women and one in 20 men in our state have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lifetime, according to the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA). Over 90 percent of Texans who have been sexually assaulted did not report to law enforcement.

Survivors have a new statewide toll-free number [1-844-303-7233 (SAFE)] to call for representation and referral to nine legal aid organizations who are partnering with domestic violence and rape crisis centers across Texas for community outreach, education, and referrals.

“As survivors of sexual assault begin to rebuild their lives, legal issues may arise that affect their safety and well-being,” Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman, the Court’s liaison for access to justice issues, said. “Help is now a confidential phone call away for Texans who qualify for legal aid.”

The LASSA Network will serve every Texas county, providing survivors of sexual assault with a wide range of free legal services from general advice to holistic, direct representation in civil legal matters stemming from the sexual assault. Survivors’ legal problems can include: privacy violations, physical safety threats, school accommodations, employment sanctions, financial problems, and housing problems.

The initiative was made possible through $10 million in funding from the 84th Session of the Texas Legislature for the 2015-2017 biennium. The funds are distributed by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation to grantees across the state.

For more information, please call 1-844-303-7233 (SAFE) or visit http://www.teajf.org/grants/LASSA.aspx.

-30-

The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (www.teajf.org), created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, is the leading state-based funding source for the provision of civil legal aid in Texas. The organization is committed to the vision that all Texans will have equal access to justice, regardless of their income. The Foundation administers a variety of funding sources, which are earmarked to assist nonprofit organizations in providing legal aid to more than  100,000 Texas families each year.

 

Contact: Kimberly Schmitt
512-320-0099, ext. 104
kschmitt@teajf.org

 

Recent News

 

Nov. 29, 2022

Wells Fargo Joins the Prime Partner Program

Oct. 26, 2022

TAJF honors senators, representative and former justice at luncheon

Oct. 17, 2022

TRLA to open legal aid office in Uvalde with funding from TAJF

Sept. 6, 2022

Statement on the Passing of Harold Kleinman, TAJF's Founding Chair

Aug. 12, 2022

Senator John Cornyn Honored for Access to Justice Efforts

May 26, 2022

TAJF Creates Tottenham Veterans Justice Fellowship

March 31, 2022

TAJF Receives $20 Million from TDHCA to Provide Housing Legal Services

Nov. 10 , 2021

Legal Aid Crucial for Veterans - Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, Justice Chari Kelly, San Antonio Express-News

Aug. 25, 2021

TAJF Receives $20 Million from TDHCA to Provide COVID-related Housing Legal Services

June 16, 2021

Texas Legislature Provides Funding for the State's Legal Aid System

May 11, 2021

TAJF Executive Director honored with national Innovations in Equal Justice Award

Apr. 15, 2021

Help sexual assault survivors and support legal aid - Justice Eva Guzman, Houston Chronicle

Mar. 3, 2021

Hurting from the pandemic and storm, more Texans need legal aid - Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, Austin American-Statesman

More news

© 2023 Texas Access to Justice Foundation