Officials Promote Sex Assault Help-Line

Statistically, at least one person is raped every hour in Texas. Incredibly, more than four out of every five of those rapes -- about 82% -- are never reported to police. Houston Public Radio is reporting that silent rape victims who need confidential help now have a place to turn on a new statewide help-line.

Houston Senator Rodney Ellis is joining women's centers and shelters around the state in publicizing the new free statewide "Sexual Assault Legal Services and Assistance helpline:  SALSA.

Houston Area Women’s Center President Rebecca White says she hopes this helpline will give violated women a place to start looking for help.

“Too many are suffering in silence in our community and it’s not OK, it’s just not OK. Survivors of sexual assault have other needs that have heretofore not been adequately addressed in our state and that’s why SALSA is such a great addition to the toolbox that we have to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence.”

The new statewide legal helpline is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The number to call is 888-343-4414.