Sexual Abuse Happens in Homeless Shelters

Sexual abuse is never ok. Speak up to put an end to it.

Homeless shelters are supposed to provide a safe place to live. But staff members sometimes sexually harass, exploit, or assault shelter residents. Some examples of this abusive behavior include:

Unwelcome comments ("You look so beautiful today." "You have nice breasts." "Are you single?" "Do you like sex?").
Leering or suggestive gesturing.
Exposing themselves.
Asking for a date or "hook up."
Soliciting sex.
Asking residents to trade sex for privileges.
Sexual assault (unwanted touching, groping, forcing or pressuring you into any type of sex).
Retaliation against residents who resist or choose to stop.

Whether you said no in the moment, fought back, said nothing, or if you ultimately submitted to the staff member — YOUR STORY MATTERS.

TELL US YOUR STORY

Please include where and when the abuse happened, names or descriptions of the people involved, and any other relevant information.

What else do you want people to know about sexual harassment/assault/exploitation in homeless shelters?

YOUR INFORMATION

We would love to contact you but sharing your information is not required and we won't use your name or any identifying information unless you give us permission to do so.

First Name

Last Name

Phone

If we need to call you, should we state that it is the ACLU returning your call?

Yes

Thank you for sharing your story with us. We appreciate the courage it takes to speak out and are profoundly grateful to you for doing so.

Disclaimer and Notice

This survey does not give legal advice, and you should not rely on it as legal advice. You should not rely on the information you get from this site and you should speak with a lawyer to get advice on your specific situation. We also cannot promise that the information on this site is complete, accurate, or up-to-date.

This Survey is not a solicitation or an offer by the American Civil Liberties Union and its affiliates to represent you. We cannot promise you that the information you provide will lead to any specific action on the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. Once you complete the survey, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California may not do anything — including contact you — about your situation.

If you fill out this Survey, you agree that the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California may use the information you give us, as long as we don’t include your name, address, email or phone number, for one or more of the following purposes: (1) legislative testimony, (2) litigation; (3) contacting a city, state or federal agency; or (4) telling your story to the public, including the media. If the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California wants to identify you, we will contact you prior to doing so.

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