According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), Latina women are more likely to experience domestic violence than any other demographic group in the United States. In 2020, the NCADV reported that:
In 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to expose fault lines in social support systems, advocates for survivors of domestic abuse noted a troubling phenomenon: within Latina communities across the United States and Latin America, rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) surged, while reporting and help-seeking behavior remained dangerously low. While no single case defines this crisis, the widespread experience of women like “Amelia”—a composite name representing countless survivors—highlights the urgent need for culturally competent intervention. latina abuse amelia 2021
: Formerly Casa de Esperanza, this organization focuses specifically on mobilizing Latinas and Latino communities to end gender-based violence. : Formerly Casa de Esperanza, this organization focuses
Cultural norms, the immigration status of the victim and the abuser, and limited access to resources due to language barriers or lack of documentation contribute to the underreporting of abuse cases within the Latina community. Systemic Barriers: Conversely
often perpetuate cycles of abuse and discourage victims from seeking help. Systemic Barriers:
Conversely, access to a culturally competent, Spanish-speaking advocate reduced the risk of returning to an abuser by 54%, according to a 2021 longitudinal study from The National Latin@ Network.