NNEDV Joins National Partners in Saying ‘NO MAS’

April 23, 2015

“The NO MÁS Study: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the U.S. Latin@ Community” – a report commissioned by the Avon Foundation for Women for Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network and NO MORE and conducted by Lake Research Partners – was officially launched through a Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill earlier this week. Kim Gandy, President; Michelle Robles and Julia Saladino, staff attorneys on the WomensLaw project; and Marium Durrani, Public Policy Attorney, attended the No Más Congressional Briefing on behalf of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).

This ground-breaking study demonstrates that sexual assault and domestic violence are prevalent issues in the Latin@ community, which too often faces a number of barriers the general population does not experience.

NNEDV applauds and welcomes the arrival of No Más, a much-needed outreach and awareness tool. The study found that more than half of the Latin@s in the United States knows a victim of domestic violence, and one in four know a victim of sexual assault. Forty-one percent of Latin@s believe that fear of deportation is the number one barrier preventing Latin@ victims from seeking help, followed by fear of more violence for themselves and their families (39%) and fear of children being taken away (39%).

“This ground-breaking study demonstrates that sexual assault and domestic violence are prevalent issues in the Latin@ community, which too often faces a number of barriers the general population does not experience,” said Juan Carlos Areán, Senior Director of Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network. “The NO MÁS study also reveals the community’s enormous strength and willingness to put an end to these problems. The study, thus, represents not only the issues we face, but also the fortitude we can leverage to eliminate violence.”

It is critical that we continue to do our part in supporting those on the front line to put an end to this urgent problem.

As a result, Casa de Esperanza and NO MORE, in partnership with Verizon, are developing an outreach campaign designed to engage the Latin@ community around how to address domestic violence and sexual assault. Part of this effort includes involving service providers in awareness-raising efforts. “It is critical that we continue to do our part in supporting those on the front line to put an end to this urgent problem,” explained Victoria Boston, Northeast Area VP of Customer Service for Verizon and NNEDV Board Member. “We are excited about partnering in the launch of NO MÁS and proudly stand with Casa de Esperanza and NO MORE on this incredibly important initiative.”

Engaging with Latin@ communities is an important priority for NNEDV. Through our new initiative, Apoyo Tecnológico, we aim to connect with and empower Latin@ victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing legal information and resources in Spanish on WomensLaw.org. We continue to provide individualized support, referrals, and information in Spanish through the WomensLaw Email Hotline.

To learn more about the NO MÁS study, visit NoMore.org/NoMas or read a summary of the study in English and Spanish.