Hispanic Women Need Education On Domestic Violence
Last updated Sunday, October 23, 2005 8:39 PM CDT in News
By Steve Caraway
The Morning News
FAYETTEVILLE -- Diana had enough after seven years of abuse. She grabbed her two children and left before her boyfriend's violence reached the kids.
Diana, a Hispanic woman who preferred to remain anonymous, became a beneficiary of the Washington County Peace at Home Center when she relocated from Fort Smith to Washington County. The center, which has worked in Northwest Arkansas to end domestic violence since 1977, helped Diana make her break with her boyfriend successful.
The center held its third annual Peace At Home Thrift Store Fiesta on Saturday in Fayetteville. The fiesta recognized National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and reached out to Hispanic victims. Hispanic women made 25 percent of the calls to the center so far this year, according to a news release from the center.
"One of three women will be affected by domestic violence," said Lillian de Nichols, an assistant to 3rd Congressional District Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers. "This goes across all of the community and all socio-economic levels."
Speakers at the event said some Hispanic women were more vulnerable to abuse because their status in the country might leave them afraid to talk to police. Speakers said the status of victims should not be a factor.
"I want to assure people we do not report them to Immigration," said Alex Thomas, with the Washington County Prosecutor's Office. "We want to get them into a safe place."
The number of domestic violence victims reflect the population of the area, according to Detective Al Barrios of the Springdale Police.
"Domestic violence is growing," Barrios said. "I hope it reflects the growth of the area."
The Center has seen a 39 percent increase in clients served both in and out of shelter over the last two years, according to the release. Many of the speakers talked about making victims aware, especially Hispanics, they have places to go.
"We try to educated women and make them aware they have rights," said Margarita Solorcaro, of the Hispanic Women's Organization. "They need to realize they are victims of crime."
Women are being preyed upon by men who are assumed to be their protectors, said Detective David Williams of the Fayetteville Police. The women are hesitant to accuse those whom they thought loved them.
"These abusers are like terrorists," Williams said. "They thrive in silence and darkness. The violence has to be talked about. We need to chip away at the shadows and darkness."
Diana finally decided to leave her boyfriend after her children became old enough to start noticing how he treated her.
"I was afraid he would hit them," Diana said.
Diana's arms still hurt at times, she said, from his hitting her. But worse was the mental abuse. Victims do not need to suffer, she said.
"Don't be afraid, look for help," Diana said to fellow victims. "There are community organizations to help and opportunities to do better."
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