Domestic Violence and the Hispanic
Community: Cultural Competency,
Victimology & Advocacy
Jose Juan Lara, Jr., MA
Texas Advocacy Project
Austin
How many of you
here consider
yourself prejudice?
Definition Of Culture
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race
ethnicity
national origin
sexuality
gender
religion
age
class
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disability status
immigration status
education
geographic location (space)
rural, urban,
time, or
other axes of identification
within the historical context
of oppression
Is there a difference…?
Hispanic
Latino
Hispanic
• USA Official use of the term Hispanic has
its origins in the 1970 United States Census.
The Census Bureau attempted to identify all
Hispanics by use of the following criteria in
sampled sets:
– Spanish speakers and persons belonging to a household
where Spanish was spoken
– Persons with Spanish heritage by birth location
– Persons who self-identify with Spanish ancestry or descent
Latino
• Since its official adoption in 1997, the definition
and usage of the term by the Federal Government
is strictly as an ethnic, as opposed to racial,
identifier, used together with the term Hispanic.
• Authorities of American English maintain a
distinction between the terms Hispanic and
Latino. Latino is not officially used as a racial
label, as a 'Latino' or 'Latin American' can be of
any race.
Can someone define
family violence?
TEXAS FAMILY CODE
“FAMILY” includes blood relatives or
relatives by marriage, former spouses
parents (married or not) of the same child,
foster parents and foster children, or any
member or former members of a household
(people living in the same house, related or
not). 71.003 Texas Family Code
TEXAS FAMILY CODE
“FAMILY VIOLENCE” means: an act by a member
of a family or household against another member
of the family or house hold that is intended to
result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or
sexual assault, or that is a threat that reasonably
places the member in fear of imminent physical
harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault, but
DOES NOT INCLUDE DEFENSIVE
MEASURES TO PROTECT ONESELF. 71.004
Texas Family Code
TEXAS FAMILY CODE
“DATING VIOLENCE” means: an act by an individual that
is against another individual with whom that person has or
has had a dating relationship and that is intended to result
in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault or
that is a threat that reasonable places the individual in fear
of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual
assault, but DOES NOT INCLUDE DEFENSIVE
MEASURES TO PROTECT ONESELF. 71.0021 Texas
Family Code
TEXAS FAMILY CODE
“DATING RELATIONSHIP” means: a relationship
between individuals who have or have had a
continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate
nature. Factors for the court to consider include
the length and nature of the relationship as well as
the frequency and type of interaction between
individuals. A casual acquaintanceship or
“ordinary fraternization” is excluded. 71.0021
Texas Family Code
Texas Statistics on Abuse
• 77% of all Hispanic Texans indicate that
either themselves, a family member and/or a
friend have experienced some form of
domestic violence.
• 40% of Hispanic Texans who reported
experiencing at least one form of domestic
violence took no action.
Texas Statistics on Abuse
• 50% of all Hispanic Texans believe
domestic violence is caused by
circumstances beyond the batterers control
showing that the Hispanic Texas community
needs more information on domestic
violence.
• 82% of all Hispanic Texans believe that it is
never appropriate to stay in an abusive
relationship, yet 46% acknowledge that
leaving an abusive relationship can be more
dangerous than staying.
Texas Statistics on Abuse
• 83% of all Hispanic Texans agree that a
husband who abuses his wife is more likely to
also abuse his children; yet only 47% indicate
a belief that domestic violence passes from
generation to generation.
• Hispanic Texans, like the general population,
have both a limited definition of domestic
violence and have a willingness to blame
victims for the abuse they suffer.
Traditional
Sex Roles
Marianismo
• idealizes women as the
custodians of virtue, piety,
morality, and spirituality; from
Maria, or Mary, the Virgin
Mother of God in the
Catholic tradition
La Hembra
• is sexually innocent
(virgin at marriage)
• is subservient to men
• works primarily in the
home
• is the caretaker of her
(many) children
• is modest in dress &
behavior
• avoids alcohol and
tobacco
Traditional Hispanic Culture Does
Not Support>>
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Female Independence
Single Lifestyle
Career-mindedness
Criticism of male partner (even
for infidelity, gambling, verbal
or physical abuse, drug or
alcohol use)
Asking for help
Discussion of personal
problems outside the home.
Self-indulgence
Outside help with the children
Sexuality as pleasurable for
mothers
Machismo
• a cultural ideal that exalts
male virility, superiority and
control, especially over
women
El Valiente
•Is physically strong.
•Is able to handle large amounts of
alcohol.
•Has many sexual relations with
women.
•Takes pride in being the primary
breadwinner.
•Is physically/verbally violent with
women.
•Shows little empathy.
•Has many children (takes particular
pride in having boys).
•Is fearless.
•Expects that others (especially
women) serve him hand and foot.
Hispanic Cultural Influences
• Family Unity (familismo)respect and loyalty to family.
Family first.
• Stoic Attitudes- problems
should be endured with courage
and dignity
• Gender roles- abnegation
(mother), responsibility and
authority (father), obedience
(children).
• Religious views- enduring
suffering as a moral test from
God
Traditional Roles & Family Violence
• Priority is a sense of duty and concern for
her children
• Judged harshly by extended family for
taking action – punishing her husband
through legal system
• Seeking help is airing the families – an act
of disloyalty
• Fear of not fulfilling family’s expectations
Traditional Roles & Family Violence
• Personal relationships take priority over
professional or institutional ones
• Latinos are less likely to place their trust in an
organization
• Latinos are often more formal in their initial
interactions with people who are not friends or
family
• It is crucial to maintain consistency to establish
trust
Why Remain?
• The value of community over individualism
• The cultural acceptance of male domination encourages the battered woman
aguantar (put up with it, endure it) the relationship.
• Economic dependence on the abuser
• Immigration status
• Limited availability of bi-lingual social services and law enforcement and
court services
• Weak extended family relationships
• Lack of language skills, education and job training
• Belief that it is better for the children if they have both parents together
• Fear that the abuser will retaliate and make good on his threats usually to
harm the children or even commit suicide
• Feelings of gratitude toward her abuser for bringing her to this country and
for supporting her and the children and she has no other place to go
Barriers for Clients
• How can our understanding or lack of
understanding of our client’s background be
a barrier?
• How is OUR culture a barrier for clients?
• What are the issues that we have to
consider?
The Million Dollar Question
I see the barriers for clients and the true
dynamics of culture, now what can I do?
The simple answer with the not-sosimple process
Increase your cultural competency
Intersectionality
• People live multi-layered lives derived from social
relations, history and the operation of the
structures of power.
• Expose all types of discrimination that occur as a
consequence of the combination.
• No categorizing people, no single form of
discrimination – exposes full range of
vulnerabilities as it links all structures of
oppressions.
So, what does this mean?
• In what ways does this understanding of
culture affect our work?
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Who are you
Who is the victim
How do you see the victim as they see you
What is the context of your work and the
principles that guide it
– How do all these come together
Myths About Cultural
Competence
Myth # 1: There are too many cultures. I cannot
possibly learn what I need to know about all of
them.
• learns to recognize and reject his or her preexisting
beliefs about a culture
• focuses on understanding information provided by
individuals within the context at hand (e.g., victims,
witnesses, etc.)
• foregoes the temptation to classify or label persons
with cultural names
Myth # 2: I have examined my preconceptions
about the various cultures in my
jurisdiction, changed some of my thoughts,
and now feel culturally competent to deal
with people who might appear in court.
• Cultural competence is not a one-time, finite
achievement. It is a process that is applied in
every case (usually many times)
Myth # 3: As a person of color, I know what it
means to be culturally sensitive. I don't need
any special training on how to practice
cultural competence.
• Different levels of awareness and sensitivity
about his or her own and other cultures.
• Every human being holds preconceptions
about "different" cultures [and] must use some
kind of deliberate, analytical process to
examine cultural misinformation and strive for
cultural competence.
Culturally Competent Assumptions
• All cultures are contradictory (both oppressive and nurturing)
• Each victim is not only a member of her/his community, but a
unique individual with their own responses and shaped by
multiple factors.
• Each individual comes into any encounter with cultural
experiences and perspectives that might differ from those
present in the system.
• All institutions have to develop specific policies and procedures
to systematically build cultural competence.
Language, Knowledge, Physical, Sexual and
Cultural Differences in Mainstream Social
Service Agencies
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Language Barriers
Food Preferences
Privacy Concerns
Survivor and Recovery Process
Accessibility Issues
Sexual Identity
Limited knowledge of Victim Legal Rights
and/or Protections
Lack of Resources
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Lack of a support system leads to isolation
Lack of economic resources
Lack of transportation
Lack of language appropriate resources
Lack of (sufficient) legal aid
Three Strategies to Overcome
Cultural Barriers
1. Partner with specialists.
2. Use cultural mediators.
3. Find practical resources.
Partnering with specialists
• Ethnic organizations.
• Community Based Organizations that serve
vulnerable populations.
• Justice networks that include minorities.
• Local advocates, nonprofits and leaders.
• Communities of faith: churches, mosques,
temples, synagogues…
• Specialized national or regional nonprofits.
CULTURAL MEDIATORS
• Trained interpreters.
• Community liaisons.
• Staff with community connections to
underserved populations.
• Outreach specialists, promotoras.
RESOURCES
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OVC website
Multiethnic or multilingual posters
Internet resources
Ethnic or community “profiles” (most are free)
Monolingual or bilingual client/victim education
brochures, guides, booklets
• Books and articles by specialized nonprofits,
researchers and advocates
• Ethnic organizations’ libraries
• Contact the trainer for a free listing of resources.
Equal treatment
does not mean
equal justice.
Why Should We Care?
LEGAL ISSUES
OUTCOMES for victims
Title VI, Civil Rights Act
Executive Order 13166
ADA
Victim Bill of Rights
VAWA
Other access laws
Unequal access to victim
services
Discrimination
Fear to seek help
Illness, trauma
Repeated abuse
Death (domestic violence)
What is the victim’s perspective?
How does he/she sees you?
How do you see him/her as he/she sees you?
Legal Advocacy
• Recognize the importance of establishing
trust with your client.
• Let victims know of all legal remedies.
• Provide all information in writing if
possible.
• Even if victims refuse to cooperate with
police or other service providers, use every
encounter to provide information on the law
and available services.
Legal Advocacy
• For many populations, law enforcement may be
seen as “the enemy.”
• Victims may have their own stereotypes about
police.
• State clearly that you are there to help.
• Immigration victims may think police and
Immigration are the same or will deport them.
• One insensitive reaction may deter the victim from
seeking services or pursuing justice.
To request a training:
Jose Juan Lara, Jr., M.A.
Director of Advocacy & Training
Texas Advocacy Project, Inc.
jlara@texasadvocacyproject.org
512.225.9573
Web Resources
The National Latino Fatherhood and Family Institute
http://www.nlffi.org/
National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of
Domestic Violence http://www.dvalianza.org/
UNA VIDA SIN VIOLENCIA ES UN DERECHO
NUESTRO CAMPAÑA DE LAS AGENCIAS
DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS EN
LATINOAMERICA Y EL CARIBE POR LOS
DERECHOS HUMANOS DE LA MUJER
http://www.undp.org/rblac/gender/campaignspanish/index.html
Machos Sensitivos
http://www.samcranford.com/machos/index.html
Web Resources
Men’s Nonviolence Project
http://www.mensnonviolence.org/1/Home.h
tml
Men’s Resource Center of South Texas
http://www.mrcofsouthtexas.org/
Children’s Book Press
http://www.childrensbookpress.org/ob/fp.ht
ml
Reference
Katz, J., (2006). The Macho Paradox: Why Some
Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help.
Naperville, Il: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Kimmel, M. S., (2000). The Gendered Society. New
York, NY: Oxford University Press
Machismo & Marianismo: Traditional Sex Roles.
Retrieved May 3, 2007 from:
http://www.nic.edu/englang/jelider/templates/mac
hismo%20marianismo.htm
Resources
Texas Association of Judiciary Interpreters &
Translators www.tajit.org
Catholic Charities www.catholiccharities.org
YMCA of Greater Houston
www.ymcahouston.org
Saheli www.saheli-austin.org