“¡Si Podemos!”: Latinas Can Break the Silence About Violence

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is present in Latinx communities in the United States, and it affects many Latinas. One in three women has experienced domestic violence, but only half of them report it because they fear deportation, do not speak English well enough to report it, do not have enough money to leave their husbands, and fear that their children might get hurt. Many barriers prevent Latinas from reporting domestic violence, and factors such as traditional gender roles, religion, and socioeconomic status constrain Latinas’ choices for seeking help. Legal institutions that should promote reporting are treating clients unequally and they fail to remain impartial. Charitable organizations do not have enough money to provide for every victim, and their shelters are often overcrowded. Domestic violence is an extensive problem in the US, and much needs to be done in order for it to change.