Sexual Assault & Harassment
Garden of Hope's Sexual Assault Program provides advocacy and counseling for Mandarin-speaking sexual assault survivors.
We understand the trauma for survivors is not only physical— there is also a significant mental and emotional toll. We recognize that the path to healing can be extremely difficult due to the shame, guilt, and cultural stigmas, but we are here to support, empower, and restore.
Ways We Help
FAQs
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Sexual assault is any unwanted or non-censual sexual contact or behavior. Rape is a form of sexual assault, but not all sexual assault is rape. Sexual assault can occur under physical force, but victims may also be assaulted under emotional or psychological coercion, manipulation, or while unconcious.
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Consent is clearly and freely communicated agreement through verbal and/or non-verbal language. Consent cannot be assumed or given through coercion, manipulation, force, or under the influence of drugs, including alcohol.
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Yes. Everyone has a right to say no to any sexual activity at any time. Consent cannot be assumed in any relationship and being married does not obligate a person to sexual activity.
It’s also a common misconception that most sexual crimes are committed by strangers when in fact over 80% of sexual violence is committed by someone the victim knows, including over 30% by a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend.*
*RAINN Perpetrators of Sexual Violence: Statistics
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Sexual assault is a seriously underreported crime, and there are many reasons why survivors stay silent. One major factor, especially among the AAPI community, is the stigma and misconceptions surrounding sex. Cultural ideas such as a wife should satisfy a husband’s demands, or sexual violence only happens to women who are careless discourage survivors from coming forward or even acknowledging the trauma they’ve experienced.
A lack of health education and conversation about sex and consent also keeps many victims from recognizing that they have been sexually assaulted. Survivors also struggle with shame, guilt, self-blame, self-doubt, fear no one will believe them, and a lack of support.
We need to work together as a community to remove these social and cultural obstacles preventing sexual assault survivors from coming forward and getting the help they need to heal.
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Listen and believe
Educate yourself
Encourage them to get help and share resources
Check in on them and remind them that they are no alone
Don’t pressure them and respect their choices
Hui’s Story: Healing, Stitch by Stitch
Sexual Assault
When I was 14 years old, I was raped by my father and uncle at home back in China. My mother didn’t even try to listen to me or protect me because of the Chinese patriarchal system in which the father figure has absolute power and authority; disobedience was not tolerated and no one could speak against him. I was brought up in a system that values men and belittles women.
I was neglected all the time at home. All of my family members claimed that I have a learning disability and disparaged me in many ways. I had no rights or voice of my own; In my family, I couldn’t have my own goals, make decisions, or advocate for my own needs.
After moving to the United States, I broke my silence by telling my sexual assault experience to a school teacher who immediately got New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) involved in my case. I was removed from my home and placed at foster care until I turned 18 years old when I was then transferred to a homeless shelter.
I was extremely uncomfortable living in the shelter due to its complex environment and was easily seduced, tricked, and abused by men both physically and verbally. I was constantly being sexually assaulted by the men I had relationships with.
I came to Garden of Hope seeking shelter in 2016. Garden of Hope gave me all of the support I needed at the time— work training, support groups, financial assistance, and even fun social activities. For the first time in my life, I found a sense of belonging. Most importantly, I was reassured that I am valued.
I developed a particular interest in stitching, including traditional Chinese cross stitching, which gave me a sense of calm and helped me to feel at ease. I finished my home service training and got a job as a caregiver. Now in my spare time, I help out with childcare at Garden of Hope and participate in crafts with the Garden of Hope Women’s Economic Empowerment Program art group.
Hui Peng, 26, is a survivor of sexual assault by family members. She suffers from a minor developmental delay, which is a common trauma symptom among sexual assault survivors who are more likely to mentally remain at the age when they were first assaulted. We found cross-stitch art therapy to be especially effective in helping trauma survivors stay calm and focused and eliminate rage and irrational thoughts. Hui Peng is a talented artist with particular expertise in cross stitching and one of her pieces sold for $10,000 USD at a charity gala in 2017.
