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Serving Ethnic and Racial Communities
Latina/o Victims
The U.S. Latino population is not a homogenous group but rather a composite of various subcultures that can claim over two dozen countries of origin and a rich ancestry. According to 2007 U.S. Census data, the number of people who speak Spanish at home increased from 28.1 million in 2000 to 34.5 million in 2007.98
Without a culturally competent infrastructure in place to serve Latina/o victims, there can be no meaningful participation by victims. The following resources may help you provide culturally relevant services to Spanish-speaking Latina/o individuals:
Alianza (National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence)
Promotes understanding, sustains dialogue, and generates solutions to move toward the elimination of domestic violence affecting Latino communities.
Arte Sana
Provides services to improve the quality of life of survivors of gender violence and racism, strives to prevent violence in communities, and provides training on strategy development for improving outreach efforts to underserved populations and culturally competent program development.
ASISTA
Offers resources and information through an online clearinghouse that provides samples, best practices, and training materials and also offers technical assistance to grantees of the Office on Violence Against Women, including recipients of state STOP grants.
Casa de Esperanza—Systems Change and Training
Mobilizes Latina/o communities to end domestic violence and enhance access to systems and organizations.
Federal Websites in Spanish
Lists federal Web sites that are offered in Spanish.
National Center for Cultural Competence
Lists publications on culturally and linguistically competent services as well as checklists that can help guide outreach to underserved, ethnically diverse populations.
National Council of La Raza
Includes information on advocacy, civil rights, justice, education, employment and economic opportunities, farmworkers, health, housing, and immigration.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Maintains a list of sexual violence prevention and intervention materials, some of which are available in Spanish.
National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care
Recommends national standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate services in health care.
OVC Foreign Language Publications
Helps serve non-English speaking victims and their families.
Texas Association of Sexual Assault Programs
Includes English and Spanish language publications about sexual assault, such as Confronting Sexual Assault, Rape in Marriage, Sexual Abuse of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, and Sexual Assault and Spirituality: A Judeo-Christian Perspective.
