Addressing Violence
Against Women
Through the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) grant program from the United States Department of Justice, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has awarded Access funds authorized by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to serve victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The grant supports coordinated community responses to hold offenders accountable and serve victims.
Call On Us
Immigrant communities are vulnerable to sexual assault, human trafficking and exploitative practices. Victims are affected by finances, social and immigration status, cultural beliefs, legal issues, geographic isolation, sexual orientation, disability, age, and adverse experiences. Access represents victims of sexual assault and stalking from the culturally, geographically, and linguistically marginalized communities from youth through adulthood. Staff have expertise serving:
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recently arrived immigrants and refugees and culturally isolated communities from Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Filipino, Indigenous Latino, Central American, and African communities, with special emphasis on the Somali community
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rural victims who live in the East, North, and South rural tracts of San Diego (SD) County that lack available resources, and
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vulnerable youth that are pregnant and/or parenting, homeless, foster youth, sex trafficked, and LGBTQ.
People of all backgrounds and circumstances are welcome to seek services from Access. Strict confidentiality, safety, and wrap around services will be provided. Contact us.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Immigrant victims of domestic violence and child abuse may be eligible to receive assistance from the Access legal team. Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), undocumented immigrant spouses and children who are subject to an abusive U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident may file petitions for legal residency. Clients may also be assisted with visas, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) cases, and other programs for which they may be eligible. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential. To find out more or to refer someone for services. Contact us.
Sexual Assault Victim Empowerment (SAVE)
The Sexual Assault Victim Empowerment (SAVE) Legal Network of San Diego County provides support to low-income culturally isolated individuals with a focus on the Filipino, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, African and Mixteco/Indigenous communities in San Diego County along with partner License to Freedom, Inc.
The types of legal assistance include help during the legal advocacy and safety planning stage including preparation of the legal case, restraining orders, immigration assistance for VAWA, U, T visa, civil harassment orders, filings with EEOC, or assistance with filing a report with the police department as needed. Contact us.