Help-Seeking Experiences Related to Interpersonal Victimization in a National Sample of Latinas

• In Event: Race, Ethnicity, and Victimization

Abstract

Latina women have a heightened risk of experiencing different types of victimization, and seeking help is important for their safety and well-being. The Understanding Latina Experiences with Victimization, Intersectionality, and Discrimination (LAT-VIDA) study relied on a national sample of Latinas (n = 2,035) garnered from Knowledge Panel Latino. We examined help-seeking among women who experienced sex trafficking, sexual victimization, physical violence, threats, or stalking. The rate of help-seeking was 26.4% for formal and 60.1% for informal. The most common form of formal help-seeking was from the police (17.2%) and the most common confidant were friends (25.9%). Rates of help-seeking varied by victimization such that sex trafficking, threats, and stalking were associated with higher odds of formal help-seeking and sexual victimization was associated with lower odds. For informal help-seeking, threats were associated with higher odds while physical and sexual victimization were associated with lower odds of informal help-seeking. The findings suggest that few Latina women seek formal help and thus additional outreach is needed by police, medical professionals, and social service agencies. Additionally, it is important to equip friends and family to respond encouragingly to disclosures. Increased efforts to address cultural taboos around sexual violence could improve help-seeking among this population.

Authors

• Chiara Sabina, Rutgers University

• Yafan Chen, Rutgers University

• E. Susana Mariscal, Indiana University

• Andrea Medrano, University of Pittsburgh

• Lillie Macias, Esperanza United

• Nancy Nava, Esperanza United

• Maria Guevara Carpio, Rutgers University

• Mariam Merced, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

• Jalixa Mancebo, Rutgers University