Verizon Wireless provides support for bilingual domestic violence awareness campaign.

Domestic violence victims never fit an easy profile. Sometimes the only common denominator is their isolation, usually imposed by an abuser, but, in the case of Washington, D.C.’s fast-growing Latino community, it’s a language barrier that’s creating a crisis.

Since many don’t read or speak English, Latina domestic violence victims aren’t always able to access legal and social services available to them.

A partnership between Verizon Wireless and D.C. nonprofit legal and social services agency, Ayuda, that soon may change.

The company is donating $10,000 to Ayuda, which has served the low-income Latino communities of Washington for 23 years, to produce a domestic violence awareness campaign in Spanish and English. The materials, which include publications, posters and print public service announcements, will be distributed to D.C. churches, hospitals, community centers, high schools and colleges.

“Domestic violence victims often talk about feeling invisible because they don’t have an ability to communicate what’s going on behind closed doors,” said Tami Erwin, president of Verizon Wireless in Washington, Baltimore, Virginia. “Imagine how that feeling of helplessness and isolation is compounded when a victim doesn’t speak English and isn’t aware of the many resources that are available in the community. I’m confident this new program with Ayuda will make a difference in the lives of survivors.”