Sania Khan was embarking on a new and fulfilling life path. Not only had Sania recently switched careers to pursue her passion for photography, but Sania’s TikTok's–where she shared about her struggles and her hopefulness in pursuing her divorce–were resonating with thousands of viewers.  

The comments and engagement she received from her videos gave her a sense of purpose. She felt she was meant to empower others battling the shame and negative stigma associated with divorce, particularly for women from immigrant and South Asian backgrounds, that Sania knew too well. On July 18th, just three days before Sania was set to move back to her native Chattanooga to live with her close friends, Sania was found dead at her Chicago apartment–murdered by her estranged husband who had then committed suicide. 

Across the U.S., instances of domestic violence rose with the pandemic. An audit of national hotline data demonstrated that in 2021, a 40 percent rise in callers requesting assistance with filing protective orders than in previous years. Because of the stressors associated with natural disasters and pandemics–things like illness, loss of family members, financial insecurity, and isolation–Texas also saw a rise in domestic violence cases during the lockdown.  

Surprisingly, early analysis shows calls requesting assistance for survivors of domestic violence continuing to rise post-lock down. 

Nationally, the research on domestic violence is clear and chilling: leaving is the most dangerous time for those experiencing domestic violence and 75 percent of all domestic violence related homicides occur during this time.  

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Texas RioGrande Legal Aid is an essential partner for Texas survivors 

Sania’s story reminds us of the need of institutions to help survivors of domestic violence on their transition far from their abusers. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid is an advocate on this fight through a robust infrastructure of staff, attorneys, and community partners ready to assist them when they’re ready to make a plan to leave. Through TRLA’s Legal Alliance for Survivors of Abuse and Legal Alliance for Survivors of Sexual Assault (LASA and LASSA, respectively), Texas survivors can receive a trauma informed and comprehensive intake at any of our 38 statewide partners.  

Not only do these partnerships ensure increased access to the vital services LASA and LASSA provide, but research demonstrates that community-based partnerships are essential in the fight to end domestic violence. The staff at our community partnerships are trained using trauma-informed methods to help survivors make a safety plan and to connect survivors with housing and financial resources if they need them.  

Survivors who qualify will then be connected back to LASA or LASSA, depending on which is more appropriate. Survivors with complex legal cases need not feel discouraged: both LASA and LASSA are equipped to assist clients who have multiple legal needs ranging from divorce, protective orders, custody arrangements, and immigration issues.  

While these cases can take years to fully resolve in court, for those willing to trust in the process, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Carmen Hileman, who has worked with LASA since the program’s inception and now serves as LASA’s Assistant Project Director recalled an encounter at the supermarket with a former client who remembered her and told Hileman, “Because of you, I’m happy and free. I remarried and was able to get my citizenship. I was able to buy a home and put my children through college”. 

Carmen reminded the survivor that though LASA, LASSA, and their community partners certainly assisted this survivor, the client deserved to be celebrated the most–she brought all of this joy into fruition herself.  

Though stories like Sania’s are too common, there is still reason to have hope. If you or someone you know is a survivor of domestic violence in Texas who needs legal assistance, programs like LASA and LASSA are ready to guide you through this challenging process.  

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