FAQ

The Jamie Leigh Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping United States citizens and legal residents who are victims of sexual harassment, rape and sexual abuse while working abroad for federal contractors, corporations, or government entities. We believe that overseas contractors and corporations should act responsibly, and be held accountable to provide safe housing and a work environment free of sexual harassment, and limit the potential for abuse. We believe that United States civilians who perpetrate crime while working in foreign countries should be held accountable for their actions. The Jamie Leigh foundation will assist victims through advocacy, education, referral and providing support. We work toward the day that no person shall face sexual abuse and harassment, and all persons, regardless of gender, will be able to work without fear, consternation, and safety concerns.

As a non- profit organization, The Jamie Leigh Foundation relies on individual contributions, corporate sponsorships, and government grants for funding.

Rape is when one person forces intercourse, or unwanted sexual contact, against another's will.

When someone is drugged or intoxicated either by being on drugs or alcohol is it considered rape?

If someone is incapable of giving consent, including instances in which the victim is prevented from resisting due to alcohol or drugs, it is considered sexual assault.

Unwanted sexual advances, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, and requests for sexual favors are all considered sexual harassment. These acts are considered harassment when…

“submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of instruction, employment, or participation in any other campus activity (quid pro quo)”;
“submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for evaluation in making academic or personnel decisions affecting an individual (quid pro quo)”; or
“such conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual's performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment”.

Why do some people side with the rapist and mistreat the victim?

If you are a victim of sexual assault and have experienced some negative reactions from society, know that these reactions are not your fault. Don't get discouraged when you read further, but enhancing your knowledge will help you to not get discouraged or caught off guard in the future. Keep in mind that all people will not react in a negative matter. Stay strong and keep pushing for justice and the information below will only make you stronger against people who may mistreat you.

A sexist male (or female), views of rape frequently resurface with vengeance. We still live in a male dominated society in which organizations and men control most power. Rape is a crime of dominance, so in this perspective the domineering individual would be vengeful towards the victim. These views can be overwhelming and cooped with groups of members of society which can devastate the victim.

Old sexist stereotypes of rape begin to surface. Ideas about what is proper behavior for a female are restricting in that people can always find a way to blame the victim. Some excuses could be; she was out too late, acting too sexy, too innocent, too assertive, drank too much, too stupid, too aloof, or not assertive enough. It doesn't matter what the victim was doing at the time she was raped. These old constrictions on female behavior provides ample cover for those who want a way out of having to stand up against a rapist.

Sometimes authorities don't take rape seriously. When the authorities aren't taking rape seriously then often society doesn't take rape seriously either. Once authorities show they aren't taking the allegations seriously, then support groups of the victims often erode rapidly.

These continuing attitudes of sexism in society make it much easier for cowardly people to accuse the victim of lying rather than to accuse a man of rape. Fortunately, people are changing. And with a little help, you can stop these abuses from happening to you.