National Sexual Assault Hotline Supports Spanish-Speaking Survivors and Their Loved Ones

Since 1994, RAINN has served survivors and their loved ones by meeting them where they are in their healing and listening to what they need in their journey. A big part of our mission is to take the necessary steps to ensure that RAINN’s services are survivor-centered, culturally competent and equipped to meet the needs of survivors from diverse backgrounds while considering intersecting factors like race, gender, culture identity, etc.

RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which is available in both English and Spanish. This month, RAINN is renaming the Spanish-language hotline La Línea de Ayuda Nacional de Abuso Sexual, in order to better reflect the everyday terminology of Spanish speakers. (The old name, Línea de Ayuda Nacional de Asalto Sexual, caused confusion for some native Spanish speakers, since the term "asalto" is often used to refer to an armed robbery or burglary.)

“Since 2015, we have been humbled to serve Spanish-speaking survivors and are always looking for opportunities to better support survivors in their healing. Changing the name of our Spanish language hotline is one part of demonstrating RAINN’s cultural competence in serving the Spanish language community. We welcome more Spanish speaking survivors to connect with our hotline for the support they need,” said Amy Andrades, RAINN’s NSAH program director.

“RAINN is taking the necessary steps to best serve survivors from diverse backgrounds considering intersecting factors like race, gender identity, and culture,” said Cristina Manzur, bilingual outreach coordinator at RAINN. “It is very important for us to meet survivors where they are in their healing and that we tailor our services to each survivor’s unique needs. Raising awareness and taking the proper steps to create inclusive language on the Spanish-language hotline is our first priority.”

The National Sexual Assault Hotline provides free, confidential support 24/7 by phone (800.656.HOPE) and online chat. Spanish-language hotline chat is available at online.RAINN.org/es.

To speak with a trained support specialist, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or chat online in English at online.rainn.org or in Spanish at RAINN.org/es.

La Linea de Ayuda Nacional de Abuso Sexual offers free and confidential services in Spanish 24/7, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to support Spanish-speaking survivors and their loved ones regardless of their background.  Help is available at 800.656.4673 and online at RAINN.org/es