In the wake of Hurricane's Katrina and Rita, people experienced sexual violence during the evacuation process, sexual assault survivors were driven from their homes under traumatic conditions, and many sexual assault crisis centers were shut down or damaged. In joining the national call to offer relief to these victims, national partners working to end sexual violence have joined forces and are coordinating efforts to provide assistance to Gulf Coast states affected by Hurricanes Katrina ad Rita, and neighboring states accepting large numbers of evacuees.

Note to rape crisis and system-based advocates, law enforcement, and healthcare professionals:

If you are working with survivors who were sexually assaulted in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, Rita or other disasters, please help us help us track the real extent of sexual assault by entering information in an anonymous database.

For information on how to access this database, contact Cathy Nardo at or 877-739-3895 ext. 103.

The Relief Fund for Sexual Assault Victims has been established to collect donations that will aid affected sexual assault victims and advocacy programs. The Fund is designed to:

  1. Support the needs of sexual assault survivors
  2. Support the needs of sexual assault advocacy program staff
  3. Assist with expanded direct service capacity needs
  4. Assist with prevention initiatives to protect evacuees from sexual violence
  5. Support relocation/rebuilding efforts for flood-damaged sexual assault advocacy programs

The following state sexual assault coalitions were involved in the development in this fund and will be the primary recipients of funds collected:

  • Alabama Coalition Against Rape
  • Florida Council Against Sexual Violence
  • Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault
  • Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault
  • Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Now more than ever our friends in the Gulf Coast need our generous support. Please join us in helping to ease the physical emotional distress of sexual assault by contributing to the Relief Fund for Sexual Assault Victims.

100% of donations will go to victims in affected areas. Administrative costs are being donated by the sponsoring agencies.