HOUSTON – On Tuesday, KPRC 2 reporter Re’Chelle Turner spoke to a sexual assault survivor who now works as an advocate for victims of abuse and sexual assault crimes.
Leticia Manzano has been a counselor with the Houston Area Women’s Center for 25 years.
When she was just 5 years old, Manzano said she was abused by a family member and the abuse happened again when she was 13 by another family member. Her high school counselor, who also served as her therapist, inspired her to help others.
“I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse by two family members. Often times, most often 75% up to 80% of the time it’s someone that you know who is that abuser,” Manzano said.
Leticia Manzano sat down with reporter Re’Chelle Turner and shared her story.
“I didn’t tell anyone. I didn’t tell anyone until I was much older because my parents had never had a conversation with me about this is a possibility that could happen and if it happened to tell them,” she said.
She was also abused when she was a teenager by a different family member.
“I remember it clearly. I remember it like it just happened. And you finally told your school counselor when you were 12 or 13. I think I was 13 when I finally told my school counselor,” she said.
Turner asked Manzano about the investigation and she believes the system failed her.
“I never had CPS come to my house and tell my parents, ‘Hey, this happened and we are investigating.’ I never had my counselor, although she was a great therapist, never tell me, ‘Hey, we are going to make a police report, none of that happened,’” she said.
Leticia is sharing her story and hopes other victims will continue to speak out and report the problems to police.
Last week, the Houston Police Department announced that thousands of criminal cases including adult sex crimes were suspended due to lack of personnel.
“It immediately sounded terrible and the only word that could come out of my mouth was ‘wow’ and it also made sense that the clients that I was seeing over the years were telling me things like my case was closed,” she said.
Leticia said the announcement makes it tougher for victims to come forward but hopes law enforcement agencies will change their policies.
“Fortunately, in the state of Texas there is a 10-year statute and so we are going to try and work within that law. I’m going to say the M word. If we need more money to fund these services because police departments don’t have enough services, we need to find it,” she said.
Manzano said it’s hard for victims to share their story and says it’s so important for people to report any abuse, trauma or assault to police. The Houston Area Women’s Center is open 24/7 and offers free services. If you or someone you know needs help, call 713-528-7273.