According to the U.S. Department of Justice, women are five times more likely than men to become victims of domestic violence. In response to national concern over domestic violence, President Obama proclaimed October to be National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, emphasizing the U.S. government’s commitment to reducing the prevalence of domestic violence, supporting victims, and bringing offenders to justice.
The generally accepted solution to domestic abuse is for victims to leave home and seek shelter and support services elsewhere. But when it comes to Hispanics affected by domestic violence, research has shown that Hispanic women may not think that leaving their home or partner is an adequate solution. Instead, Hispanic women want an end to the violence, and they seek culturally competent violence prevention education for men in the general and the entire family.
Social and traditional cultural dynamics surrounding Latino families affected by domestic violence are forcing public health and community-based organizations to revisit prevention and intervention strategies for the Latino population. Several organizations have stepped up to the task of developing new programs such as Alianza’s Latinos Who Batter program, which is geared toward the entire family, and the National Compadres Network’s El Hombre Noble (A Noble Man), which focuses on male education.
NCLR has teamed up with advocacy groups around the country to promote culturally competent solutions to domestic violence for Hispanic families, including Casa de Esperanza. Please join us for the Dialogue on Diversity a colloquium on domestic violence led by NCLR Affiliates Mary’s Center and La Clínica del Pueblo. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 20 from Noon–4:00 p.m. EDT at NCLR Headquarters, located at 1126 16th Street, NW in Washington, DC. Register at dialog.div@prodigy.net.