Queens community working to raise awareness on sexual abuse

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- April is sexual assault awareness month.

According to NYPD statistics, rape cases have increased both in northern and southern Queens during the 28-day period from Feb. 16 to March 17, compared to the same period last year. It has some in the community sounding alarms.

In the vibrant neighborhood of Jackson Heights, Queens, the organization Voces Latinas is intensifying its efforts to raise awareness of sexual abuse.

“We have been seeing an increase in this area. We are providing them with the importance of reporting. We want them to feel safe even if they don’t want to go to the police; we are here for them,” said counselor Genesis Capello.

Data from the NYPD shows an increase in reported rape crimes in northern Queens from 12 cases in 2023 to 23 in 2024 during the 28-day period. In southern Queens, reported raped cases increased from seven in 2023 to 18 in 2024.

“It is really important that we are not blaming it to culture or a community, specifically to one group of people. In the United States, almost half of all women and 1 in 3 men will have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime,” Saloni Sethi, Acting Commissioner, Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence.

But for Queens residents, it's alarming when these crimes hit close to home.

“Terrible because I’ve lived here for 25 years, and Jackson Heights wasn’t like that at all,” said  Elizabeth Gonzalez.

“Suddenly, crime is happening everywhere, even rape,” commented Dr. Rojan Thapaliya, who also lives in northern Queens.         

Capello told PIX11 news that the influx in migration has exacerbated the need for educating about reporting sexual crimes.  

“We have been educating them about the laws that we have because we understand in their countries is different and sometimes, they are afraid to report or speak what has been happening to them," Capello said.

“The reason sexual violence is so prevalent is because it is really rooted across cultures, sort of across societies and age groups even have internalized of what Is ok to sort of demand from people and how we treat each other’s bodily autonomy,” expressed Sethi.

The focus remains on outreach, building trust and raising sexual awareness.

“We explain to them that some behaviors are not ok.” Sethi. “Believe the survivor, be there for them, listen to them, hear their story, and try not to react."