The Case of Vanessa Guillén that Moved the Hispanic Community

Sara Cano, Anabell Nunez, Alex Pecoraro

Vanessa Guillén was a 20-year-old girl who was stationed at the Fort Hood military base in Texas. Fort Hood is one of the largest military bases in the United States with 90,000 people. Guillén disappeared in the military bathroom in April of this year, but days before her disappearance she revealed to her mother by phone that a sergeant sexually harassed her.



Vanessa told not only her mother, but her two sisters, and her friends what the man had done. The man harassed her to the point of going to the shower where she bathed and sat down to see her. Vanessa was intimidated. Now, you would ask yourself “But then why didn’t she seek help?” or “Why did she not immediately report the harasser? “ Vanessa did not report the incident for fear of what might happen inside the Army and for fear that something would happen to her family. The Army has so much power that she did not want to be accused of insubordination. But to calm things down with her family, she decided she was going to take care of it, but that was the last time Vanessa’s family heard from her.

Vanessa's disappearance

On April 22, 2020, Vanessa Guillén disappeared from the Fort Hood, Texas base. The question is the following, how does a person disappear from the military base overnight? Is there not supposed to be a sergeant who keeps a list of the names of the soldiers who are present? Aren’t they supposed to have a schedule when soldiers have to report back to base? How is it possible for a person to disappear?



Vanessa was never able to officially report and her sister, Lupe Guillén, told reporters, “My sister was afraid to report the harassment because no one was going to listen to her. They take sexual harassment and sexual assault as a joke. They don’t care.” This experience is not exclusive to Vanessa. Regular surveys of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Navy show that approximately 1 in 16 women and 1 in 30 people will be sexually harassed while on duty, but only 6,000 reports with only around 250 cases prosecuted. So, 10/1000 people are attacked and nobody is there to protect them or help them because they are the same people who take it as a joke (more stats linked at the bottom of the page).

What's happening now

Natalie Khawam, the Guillén family attorney, advised that before Vanessa went missing, the Houston native told family members that she was being sexually harassed on base, but she feared to report it to her chain of command. Many questions have been raised about the program following the disappearance of 20-year-old Guillén, especially from her family. On June 30th, contractors working on a fence near the Leon River, about 30 miles from the base, discovered human remains. When authorities searched the area, they found scattered human remains that appeared to be placed into a concrete substance and buried. According to special agent Damon Phelps with the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command, Aaron David Robinson, a 20-year-old Army Specialist, was identified as the person of interest in Guillén’s case. Robinson died by suicide after authorities made contact with him. As this important investigation is underway, Khawam also stated that the family is pushing for legislation in Guillén’s name that would provide “a separate agency, something like the EOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) in the private practice world. It would have an independent person, not part of the command, not part of the military, that’s unbiased. A different set of eyes.” They’re hoping the legislation will lead to unbiased investigations and reviews of sexual harassment allegations in the military.

What's next

Sexual violence and threats of retaliation and violence are not unique to Vanessa. These issues are common hurdles and/or consequences for people in the military who try to report or fight against sexual violence. There are gaps in agencies, support, and protections for survivors of sexual violence and in the military, the gap is getting exponentially bigger, so what can we do?


  • Demand Accountability and action call the House/Senate Armed Services Committee: 1-855-906-4925. What to say: “I am emailing/calling you to demand a congressional investigation by the US Senate and House Armed Services Committee on the Army’s handling of the disappearance and murder of Vanessa Guillén.”
  • Contact local and state elected officials and ask what they are doing to ensure the safety and protection of survivors of sexual violence. What are they doing to prevent silencing and retaliation on local bases?
  • Research the “I am Vanessa Guillén Bill,” set to be released July 29th. It is fighting to make all sexual violence reports reported to and investigated by an outside 3rd party, instead of Commanders and fellow soldiers that might be doing the assaulting.
  • Donate to the Vanessa Guillén GoFundMe, created by her sister, to support her family.
  • Keep sharing her story. Every chance you get, share her story.


This is an ongoing, constant fight, and we encourage you to use your voice, platform, and economic resources to help get justice for Vanessa and the tens of thousands like her. If you or anyone you know is experiencing sexual violence contact your local assault crisis center or the RAINN online chat or hotline: 800-656-4673.


Share this post

The Role of Prison Staff in Preventing Sexual Assault at Pasadena Jail

By Naomi Cook, Guest Contributor • March 30, 2023
Located in Pasadena, TX, is the Pasadena Jail, and on this page , you can know how many inmates stay out their full terms in prison or be held temporarily until they are routed to another prison in the state. One of the biggest concerns and approaches that Pasadena Jail staff is taking in recent years is the statistics surrounding prison inmates and reducing sexual assault at their facility, and the role of prison staff in preventing sexual assault at Pasadena Jail for it is crucial. It is essential for staff to create a culture of zero-tolerance for sexual assault and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. By actively working to prevent sexual assault, prison staff can create a safer environment for inmates and ensure that justice is served.

How to Use Online Dating Apps Safely

By Teresa Siqueira, Porch.com • October 13, 2022
The ultimate guide to dating app safety

Domestic Violence: Don’t Sweep It Under the Rug

By Lavatria Williamson • October 1, 2022
The National Domestic Violence Hotline estimates that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience domestic violence. That is roughly 33.3% and 25%, respectively. If so many people in our community are being affected by domestic violence, then why aren’t we talking about it? Although Black people are disproportionately affected by this detrimental disease, it has somehow become ingrained in the very root of our cultural identity. Every day there are media headlines being posted on social media about celebrity couples engaging in physical violence. Rap songs are glorifying toxic masculinity including the oversexualization and objectification of women. Even frustrated parents are turning to physical punishments to discipline their children. In August 2022, rapper Blueface and his girlfriend, Chrisean Rock, got into a physical altercation in Los Angeles. This incident took the media by storm. Thousands upon thousands of people flooded comment sections with jokes and memes, essentially making light of the situation. Many may think of the story as comical, but domestic violence is never funny. It is a community issue that has plagued Black families for generations. The reason that this issue continues to permeate is due to the lighthearted way that Black people discuss serious topics. Statistically, we face higher cases of poverty, racism, low educational attainment, and domestic violence. This is likely due to the historical context in which Black people have existed in this country. When you live in a country where racism and sexism are rooted in the cultural context and institutional processes, it can make other issues seem less important or less dire, but domestic violence is indeed life or death. By having open dialogue and calling out problematic comments and jokes, we can start to make positive changes in our community and ensure the success of future generations. Disagreeing with your significant other is a normal part of any healthy relationship. However, name-calling, intimidation, stalking, sexual violence, physical violence, financial abuse, and emotional abuse are not. You are deserving of healthy, honest, and stable relationships free from the ugliness and toxicity of abuse. Let’s change the conversation and bring awareness to domestic violence and sexual assault. If you or someone you love are in an unhealthy relationship, please consider asking for help. To learn more about domestic violence visit: http://thehotline.org/

Meet Kacie Parrish, One of Arkansas's Top 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40

By Taylor McKinney • September 2, 2022
An interview with Kacie Parrish, a rising leader of NWA Forensic Nurse Team

What Women's History Month Means to a Mini-Millennial

By Carly Palozola & Sandra Gibbons • March 1, 2022
A Gen Alpha's take on Women's History Month

Black History Month & Why It Resonates With Our Mission

By Prentis Grayson • February 1, 2022
Black History Month (formerly known as African American History Month), originated in 1976, when it was officially recognized by then-President Gerald Ford during the United States Bicentennial Celebration, but its celebration began many years before. It's important to acknowledge that the history of Black Americans began many decades earlier. In this article, we will dive into what Black History Month is, how it started, and what it means to the NWA Center for Sexual Assault.
More posts
Share by: