Two in Three Texas Hispanic Families Have Experienced Domestic Violence.

First Lady Anita Perry, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, Senator Juan Hinojosa, the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) and domestic violence advocates gathered to reveal the results of a statewide survey on domestic violence. The statewide survey consisted of a telephone survey of 1,200 Texas residents with an over sampling of 350 Hispanics. General Abbott stated, “the study indicates that a startling 64% of Hispanic Texans have themselves or a family member experienced at least one form of domestic violence in their lifetime. Sadly, 40% reported that they took no action to help themselves or a family member when they knew of the abuse.”

“Today in Texas, domestic violence programs only have the resources to serve approximately 5% of the state’s victims of domestic violence annually. Building a Texas community that is educated on the issue, will not tolerate abuse in their families and communities, and that knows how to help survivors is essential,” General Abbott continued.

According to the results of the survey, domestic violence has touched the lives of as many as 5.2 million Hispanic Texans. Over three-quarters of all Hispanic Texans (77%) indicate that they, a family member, or a friend or coworker have experienced some form of physical, sexual or verbal domestic violence in their lifetime. Even more startling is that by the year 2030, given projected Hispanic population growth and the current rate of prevalence, this number will increase to 12.2 million Hispanic Texans that could personally be affected by domestic violence.

The survey reveals that a shocking two in five Texas Hispanic females reported having been severely abused, including physical abuse, sexual abuse or themselves and/or their family being threatened by a spouse or dating partner, in their lifetime. These numbers indicate an epidemic of domestic violence in the Texas Hispanic community.

The study, and focus groups with Hispanic survivors of domestic violence, also indicates that Hispanic Texans face unique barriers that impede victims from seeking the assistance they need. TCFV Executive Director, Sheryl Cates stated, “Today, thousands of Hispanic Texans are living in terror of abuse and far too many are dying from this tragedy. We have learned a great deal about the barriers that Hispanic survivors must overcome to finally reach out for the help they so deserve.” “Moreover,” Ms. Cates stated, “since the inception of the ‘Break the Silence, Make the Call’ public awareness campaign in October of 2002, phone calls from Spanish-speaking victims to the National Domestic Violence Hotline have increased by an astonishing 93%.”

The survey also indicates that only 52% of Hispanic Texans’ were able to give more than one definition of domestic abuse (i.e. hitting, threatening, isolation, sexual abuse). General Abbott stated that, “increased media coverage on the issue as well as open and honest dialogue in communities, is essential to help Hispanic Texans and all Texans become more informed about the issue and better able to help their friends and loved ones who are living with abuse.”

Though more than three-quarters of Hispanic Texans have been personally affected by domestic violence, the results show that Hispanic Texans hold contradictory opinions and are sometimes misinformed about the causes and dynamics of domestic violence. According to the survey, 81% of Hispanic Texans demonstrate a willingness to blame victims of domestic violence for the abuse they suffer, rather than holding the batterer accountable. Whereas 72% of Hispanics acknowledge that a person can choose to stop abusing, 50% of Hispanics are still willing to blame abusive behavior on circumstances beyond
the batterer’s control. Although 46% of Hispanic Texans know that a victim sometimes faces more danger in leaving an abusive relationship than in staying, 82% reported that they believe it is never appropriate to stay in an abusive relationship.

These results show that Hispanic Texans hold misperceptions about domestic violence and that these potentially conflicting messages are possibly being communicated to victims within the community. “More information and education for the Hispanic community on the topic of domestic violence is necessary to foster community support for those victims that are seeking assistance,” said Cates.

The study demonstrates that Hispanic Texans understand that domestic violence has a devastating effect on their communities. Texas Senator Juan Hinojosa revealed that 81% of Hispanic Texans believe that domestic violence is a serious problem in Texas and that an amazing 88% of Hispanics believe they can personally have an impact on the problem of domestic violence in their communities. The Senator also issued a call to action to the Hispanic community stating that McAllen and the Texas Valley can become a model for the nation in ending domestic violence in all communities by working together to
support those living with the terror of domestic violence. Senator Hinojosa further added that in McAllen and in Hispanic culture, the community serves as the extended family and that all Texans MUST come together on this important issue.

The Hispanic over sampling was conducted as a part of the overall statewide survey and as part of TCFV’s statewide domestic violence public awareness campaign, “Break the Silence. Make the Call.” Since the campaign kicked off on Oct. 6, 2002, extensive public polling has been conducted, ads and public service announcements have been broadcast across the state, local communication task forces have been formed, and businesses have joined together to distribute materials that provide information on ways domestic violence survivors can seek safety by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline operated by TCFV at 1-800-799 SAFE.

The telephone survey was sponsored by the Office of the Texas Attorney General and commissioned by the Texas Council on Family Violence. Saurage Research, Inc. of Houston, Texas conducted the survey and randomly selected 1,200 respondents, including an over sampling of 350 Hispanics for telephone interviews between August 7 through August 24, 2002. Respondents were given a choice to conduct the interview in either English or Spanish, however they felt most comfortable. Approximately 25% of the Hispanic interviews were conducted in Spanish. The survey has a 2.8 percent margin of error.

About Texas Council on Family Violence

This year, the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) commemorates its 25th anniversary as the state coalition of the Battered Women’s Movement in Texas and a national leader in the work to end domestic violence. TCFV provides public education, training and technical assistance, advocacy and public policy analysis on the issue of domestic violence in Texas. As a statewide coalition, TCFV members include domestic violence service providers, criminal justice personnel and allied professionals. Additionally, TCFV operates the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-SAFE), which is the
only toll-free, 24-hour hotline that provides crisis intervention and connects victims of domestic violence to more than 4,500 domestic violence service providers across the nation. TCFV is a nonprofit organization funded by both
private and public sources.