Texas Border Business
The Texas Bar Foundation has awarded the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence (CASFV) $5,000 to provide victims with education sessions on victim rights, information on VAWA, U-VISA immigration process, court accompaniment, legal and immigration advocacy. Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $24 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably-funded bar foundation.
Survivors of sexual assault and family violence face an embattled journey navigating the judicial and immigration systems. The trauma they have experienced will make court proceedings difficult for many to handle on their own. CASFV clients may not be familiar with the legal system, feel intimidated by attorneys and judges, or fear retaliation from the person who harmed them. Immigrants face additional challenges to flee an abusive relationship or seek justice and support in the aftermath of a sexual assault or domestic violence incidents. The funds received from the Texas Bar Foundation will directly support our immigration advocacy program to better assist clients.
So far, during this current 2021-2022 fiscal year, CASFV has assisted 53 survivors with legal advocacy and another 741 immigrants through our immigration advocacy program. The immigration advocates, under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), were able to assist individuals who suffered domestic violence or sexual assault with self-petitions, work permit applications and other technical aspects of acquiring legal status. CASFV is also proud to be the only family violence program in the state fully accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
About CASFV:
CASFVis a nonprofit organization whose mission is to confront and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault, in all its forms, as an advocate for safety and justice through intervention, education, and community collaboration. 24-Hour Crisis Hopeline is 915-593-7300 or 1-800-727-0511.
For more information please contact Luis Salas 915-593-1000 x 465 or lsalas@casfv.org.
