Domestic Violence Against Latinas

The article discusses several factors that affect Latina women who suffer domestic violence. Rivera mentions aspects of social services, judicial system, culture and political system. I believe there are other things that Latina women face but also American woman. Since both face a lot disadvantages just for been women, I see this every day with victims where sometimes the results are not what you wanted, or the political system is so difficult sometimes to make a change that no matter what nationality you are. The judicial system also is difficult to navigate. The legal process is unknown to many of us and indeed the language becomes a barrier. Therefore the language, emotional shock and an unknown judicial and legal system are not a good combination.

Been a victim of domestic violence put us in situations where is so difficult to understand our options and it gets worse when we don’t know the language, the culture, and in general a system from a different country.

When I was reading the statistics I wasn’t impress because I now there are real, but also Rivera’s article mentions the myths and stereotypes that exist, and I would like to mention that some of the post that I read, that not necessarily the majority of Latinas involved in domestic violence are poor, we need to understand that domestic violence doesn’t distinguish race, nationality, language, social status, or religion. That the lack of language could be a factor but not necessarily because we don’t speak very well English we are ignorant, since many women that suffer are professionals in their country and well educated. As a Latina I haven’t experience domestic violence but I help victims of domestic violence and I don’t see difference from Americans or Latinas other that the opportunity that they have to express what they are experiencing. And while racism and discrimination exist in these times, it could be because a lack of cultural sensitivity. Also we need to get educated in general in this topic and learn how to ask what we need as women.