Domestic Violence and the Hispanic Community: Cultural Competency, Victimology

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Domestic Violence and the Hispanic Community
Cultural Competency, Victimology Advocacy
Jose Juan Lara, Jr., MA Texas Advocacy
Project Austin
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• How many of you here consider yourself prejudice?

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Definition Of Culture

• disability status
• immigration status
• education
• geographic location (space)
• rural, urban,
• time, or
• other axes of identification
• within the historical context of oppression

• race
• ethnicity
• national origin
• sexuality
• gender
• religion
• age
• class

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Is there a difference?

• Hispanic
• Latino

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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

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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.

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Can someone define family violence?
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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Traditional Sex Roles
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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

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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

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Traditional Hispanic Culture Does Not Supportgtgt

• 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

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Machismo

• a cultural ideal that exalts male virility,
  superiority and control, especially over women

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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.

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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

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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 familys expectations

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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

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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

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Barriers for Clients

• How can our understanding or lack of
  understanding of our clients background be a
  barrier?
• How is OUR culture a barrier for clients?
• What are the issues that we have to consider?

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The Million Dollar Question

• I see the barriers for clients and the true
  dynamics of culture, now what can I do?

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The simple answer with the not-so-simple process

• Increase your cultural competency

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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.

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So, what does this mean?

• In what ways does this understanding of culture
  affect our work?
• 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

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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

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• 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)

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• 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.

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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.

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Language, Knowledge, Physical, Sexual and
Cultural Differences in Mainstream Social Service
Agencies

• Language Barriers
• Food Preferences
• Privacy Concerns
• Survivor and Recovery Process
• Accessibility Issues
• Sexual Identity
• Limited knowledge of Victim Legal Rights and/or
  Protections

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Lack of Resources

• 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

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Three Strategies to OvercomeCultural Barriers

• 1. Partner with specialists.

2. Use cultural mediators.
3. Find practical resources.
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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.

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CULTURAL MEDIATORS

• Trained interpreters.
• Community liaisons.
• Staff with community connections to underserved
  populations.
• Outreach specialists, promotoras.

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RESOURCES

• 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.

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• Equal treatment does not mean equal justice.

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Why Should We Care?

• LEGAL ISSUES
• Title VI, Civil Rights Act
• Executive Order 13166
• ADA
• Victim Bill of Rights
• VAWA
• Other access laws

• OUTCOMES for victims
• Unequal access to victim services
• Discrimination
• Fear to seek help
• Illness, trauma
• Repeated abuse
• Death (domestic violence)

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• What is the victims perspective?
• How does he/she sees you?
• How do you see him/her as he/she sees you?

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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.

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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.

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Jose Juan Lara, Jr., M.A.Director of Advocacy
TrainingTexas Advocacy Project,
Inc.jlara_at_texasadvocacyproject.org512.225.9573
To request a training
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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/campaign-spanish/
  index.html
• Machos Sensitivos http//www.samcranford.com/macho
  s/index.html

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Web Resources

• Mens Nonviolence Project http//www.mensnonviolen
  ce.org/1/Home.html
• Mens Resource Center of South Texas
  http//www.mrcofsouthtexas.org/
• Childrens Book Press http//www.childrensbookpres
  s.org/ob/fp.html

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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/eng
  lang/jelider/templates/machismo20marianismo.htm

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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