Abstracts Womens Studies

Barriers Latina Victims of Domestic Violence Face in Seeking Help

by Katie Ann Gustafson

Latina women have been found to experience higher rates of domestic violence than non-Latina women. At the same time, Latina women face social, cultural, institutional, and structural barriers that prevent them from seeking or obtaining help, such as traditional gender roles in intimate relationships, legal barriers, lack of education, and low socioeconomic status. This research examined the unique experience of Latina victims of domestic violence by comparing their experiences with seeking help and the barriers they face with non-Latina victims of domestic violence. Surveys were given to Latina and non-Latina victims of domestic violence who were currently participating in domestic violence programs in Connecticut. The focus of this study was to determine if there are differences among Latina and non-Latina victims in seeking or obtaining help. The Latina women in this study reported more support from the domestic violence agency compared to the non-Latina women, that they became aware of more resources in the community through the agency, and that they became aware of the agency through the police and could system. The Latina women also reported more challenges and obstacles in seeking help, faced more social/cultural, institutional, and structural barriers to seeking help compared to the non-Latina women. The study results further inform the prevention, treatment, and response to domestic violence in the Latina community. "Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Criminal Justice."; Thesis advisor: Susan Koski.; M.S.,Central Connecticut State University,,2014.;