Immigrant mother speaks out after man accused of sexually abusing her daughter is arrested – WFTV

The family moved from Brazil to the United States in 2019 and settled in Orlando. The woman began working as a personal assistant to a well-known Brazilian gospel singer named Heloisa Rosa.

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Both women had daughters of the same age and naturally the two families grew closer.

“We were very close friends. And since the girls were the same age, they always wanted to be together,” she said. “One time, Heloisa told me that her daughter was very lonely, so she asked if my daughter could stay overnight with me. And I allowed it because I trusted her.”

On the way home after that night, her daughter told her what had happened and what Rosa’s husband had allegedly done to her.

However, due to her immigration status and because she was unable to communicate adequately in English, the woman did not go to the police immediately.

“Families with a migrant background will always feel unsafe in such a situation,” she said. “We have to be in contact with the police almost every day and give our statements. That is scary, especially when you are trying to explain something but do not have the appropriate vocabulary.”

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The women then received help from the Hope and Justice Foundation, a nonprofit in Central Florida that focuses on helping immigrants who have been victims of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking. “We helped them go through the process with the police and investigators,” said Renata Alves Galindo of the foundation. “We helped them with the psychological process and gave them support.”

The organization works to support survivors, break the cycle of violence and help them get back on their feet. “The perpetrators know how vulnerable immigrants are,” says Anna Alves-Lazaro, founder of the Hope and Justice Foundation. “They are limited in many ways, from lack of language skills to ignorance of their rights.”

Kissimmee police have arrested 42-year-old Marcus Grubert, the husband of Heloisa Rosa.

He was charged with sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 12. He appeared in court on May 23 but was denied bail.

And for the mother it was a victory.

“We fought for this. It gives me a sense of justice,” she said. “I always believed in my daughter. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know: Listen to your children. We have to pay attention to what they have to say.”

resources

If you or someone you know needs help, resources are available, regardless of your immigration status or English proficiency.

If you need support in Portuguese, the Hope & Justice Foundation is one of the organizations based in the Central Florida region that can provide support. The group helps people who are overcoming cases of domestic violence, human trafficking or child abuse.

End of year – 8810 Commodity Cir STE 5, Orlando, FL 32819 | Phone: (407) 893-1477 | hopeandjusticefoundation.com

If you need help in Spanish, the Hope & Justice Foundation can help. The group supports individuals who have experienced cases of domestic violence, human exploitation, sexual abuse and child abuse.

Website – www.hopeandjusticefoundation.com

Florida Central Victim Service Center

• Orange County: (407) 254-9415
• Osceola County: (407) 483-7386
• Seminole County: (321) 972-4465

Children’s Defense Center – (407) 317-7430 | CACCentral.com (Orange and Osceola counties)

University of Central Florida Victim Assistance Center – (407) 823-1200 | victimservices.ucf.edu

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