California Immigrant Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Many immigrants are hesitant to report sexual harassment or sexual assault. Disclosing sexual misconduct can be terrifying, and many survivors wonder if the person they report to will believe them or blame them. 

For undocumented individuals who are living in California, the stakes may be even higher. Immigrants will often forego reporting out of fear that doing so will jeopardize their immigration status.

The attorneys at The Pride Law Firm are here to help. If you have experienced sexual assault or harassment in California, contact us online or call (619) 516-8166. No one deserves to be subjected to sexual misconduct, and our firm will not stand for California immigrant abuse.

California Immigrant Sexual Abuse Statistics

California is home to nearly 10 million immigrants, accounting for almost a quarter of the foreign-born population in the U.S. Despite the state being home to millions of immigrants, many are at risk of sexual abuse, often due to language barriers, immigration status, and unfamiliarity with their legal rights and protections.

Below are a few facts highlighting the disturbing and unfortunate trend of immigrant sexual assault in California:

• A California study found three out of four foreign-born men reported harassment compared to one out of two U.S.-born men living in California.
• A Times investigation found that since 2017, at least 265 calls have reported violence and abuse inside California’s four privately run immigrant detention centers, with over half of them alleged sex crimes, including rape, sexual assault, and abuse, against detainees. 
• From 2000 to 2016, 4,500 complaints were filed with the Office of the Inspector General from private detention facilities in California. Still, only 45 (1%) were investigated, exposing the ineffectiveness of the ICE sexual assault hotline.
• Roughly 500,000-800,000 farmworkers reside in California, 75% of these workers are undocumented. 
• A UC Santa Cruz study of 150 California female farmworkers found that 40% reported experiencing sexual harassment that ranged from verbal advances to on-the-job rape.

Why Sexual Assault of Immigrants in California Goes Unreported 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 3 men and nearly half of all women will experience sexual violence at some point in their lives. These figures only represent reported crimes–countless others go unrecorded, especially among immigrants.

There are various reasons that immigrants may avoid reporting, including:

• Fear of deportation: Undocumented immigrants may fear that reporting sexual assault or harassment could lead to the deportation of themselves or their families and worry that contacting law enforcement will draw attention to their immigration status.
• Language barriers: Immigrants not fluent in English may need help communicating effectively with law enforcement. Limited language skills can make it difficult for them to explain their experiences or understand the reporting process.‍
• Losing custody of children: Immigrant parents worry reporting the assault will lead to their children being taken away from them. They may have heard about the difficulty of child welfare systems and want to protect their families from being broken apart.‍
• Economic vulnerability: Immigrants often face economic hardships. They may fear that reporting sexual assault could lead to job loss or further exploitation. ‍
• Lack of knowledge about available legal relief: Immigrants may be unaware of the support systems and various types of relief. These resources include hotlines, counseling services, or organizations that specialize in helping survivors of sexual assault.

For many survivors, particularly women, staying silent and continuing to work or live in predatory conditions may feel like the safest option.

However, your communications are fully confidential when speaking with attorneys from The Pride Law Firm. You can explore your options privately before deciding to take legal action.

Are There Laws to Protect Survivors of California Immigrant Sexual Abuse?

Safety and freedom are basic human rights in the U.S. Everyone, including undocumented individuals, has the right to live free from violence and pursue justice under the U.S. Constitution. 

Sadly, misconceptions about their rights and a distrust of the legal system create significant barriers preventing immigrants from reporting their abuse.

In California, immigrants cannot be deported for reporting serious crimes thanks to the “Immigrant Rights Act,” signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2023. Rape, stalking, and domestic violence are just a few of the crimes protected under the act. 

Reporting sexual assault can be a terrifying experience for anyone–but reporting as an undocumented immigrant comes with unique challenges. Therefore, despite this law and the state’s status as a sanctuary state, immigrants often don’t report sexual assault in California. 

If you or someone you know has experienced unwanted sexual advances, sexual harassment, or sexual assault in California, it is important to know that you are not alone. 
You deserve to feel safe at your workplace, home, or anywhere. Contact Jessica Pride’s team online at (619) 516-8166 to learn more about what you can do to pursue legal action.

How Much Does It Cost to File a Case for Immigrant Sexual Assault in California?

We understand that money can be tight, and you might worry about affording a lawyer. That’s why The Pride Law Firm works on a contingency fee, meaning you don’t pay a single cent unless we win your case.  

How Can a Lawyer Help in My California Immigrant Abuse Case? 

Many undocumented immigrants live in constant fear of deportation. The thought of walking into a police station or attorney’s office seeking help seems counterproductive. 

Also, immigrants depend on their jobs for their survival and their family’s survival. This makes reporting workplace sexual abuse extremely difficult for fear of not being taken seriously, job retaliation, or even further abuse based on their vulnerability.

Sexual misconduct lawyers can provide essential relief to immigrants. Lawyers can help immigrants by:

• Helping them understand their rights
• Helping them report the abuse
• Protecting them from retaliation
• Guiding them through legal proceedings
• Representing them before the court

The support of an experienced sexual misconduct lawyer who knows how to deal with these cases can make all the difference for survivors of sexual assault. These lawyers will have your back and work towards obtaining justice and recovery.

Contact an Immigration Sexual Assault Attorney Today

When choosing a lawyer to handle your sexual misconduct case, selecting a lawyer who truly cares about you and your situation is very important. The attorneys at The Pride Law Firm have achieved incredible success for their clients.

Proudly Representing California Residents

Why Hire Jessica Pride

Jessica Pride has nearly two decades of experience fighting for survivors of sexual misconduct since the very beginning of her career. We will handle your case with experience, understanding, and trauma-informed care.

Contact The Pride Law Firm online or call our office at (619) 516-8166. Please also reach out to organizations such as RAINN to speak confidentially with a trained member of their support staff for additional emotional support. With the right team by your side, you can move through this difficult time to a better future.

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