| Factor | Impact on Abuse & Disclosure | |--------|------------------------------| | Familismo (Family Loyalty) | Teens may protect family reputation by staying silent, even when they are harmed by a relative. | | Respeto (Respect for Authority) | Questioning an adult鈥檚 behavior can be viewed as disrespectful, discouraging teens from speaking up. | | Machismo/Marianismo Norms | Gender expectations can normalize controlling or violent behavior toward women and girls. | | Immigration Stress | Fear of legal repercussions or deportation may keep families from contacting authorities. | | Language Barriers | Limited English proficiency can hinder access to services that operate primarily in English. |
| 鉁旓笍 | Action | |----|--------| | I鈥檓 Safe Now | Find a trusted adult or call 911 if you鈥檙e in immediate danger. | | I Have Support | Contact a hotline (see above) or a school counselor. | | I Keep Evidence | Write down dates, times, and details; keep screenshots. | | I Have a Plan | Know where you can go and what you need to take with you. | | I Know My Rights | You deserve protection regardless of immigration status. | | I鈥檓 Not Alone | Many organizations specialize in helping Latina teens. | Latina Abuse - Amelia.17
| Indicator | What It Might Look Like for Amelia | |-----------|------------------------------------| | Changes in School Performance | Sudden drop in grades, missed assignments, frequent absences. | | Physical Signs | Unexplained bruises, injuries, or 鈥渁ccidents鈥� that don鈥檛 match explanations. | | Emotional Shifts | Mood swings, anxiety, depression, withdrawal from friends, or heightened fear of certain people or places. | | Behavioral Red Flags | Increased secrecy, loss of interest in previously loved activities, self鈥慼arm, or substance use. | | Digital Red Flags | Deleting messages, using new or secret apps, or showing signs of distress after online interactions. | | Factor | Impact on Abuse & Disclosure
| Category | Resource | Contact | Languages | |----------|----------|---------|-----------| | National Hotlines | National Domestic Violence Hotline 鈥� 1鈥�800鈥�799鈥�7233 | 24/7, free, confidential | English & Spanish (press 2) | | Legal Aid | Immigration Legal Services of Texas 鈥� VAWA Self鈥慞etition Clinic | 1鈥�877鈥�382鈥�2457 | English & Spanish | | Shelters (California example) | La Casa de la Esperanza 鈥� Safe Housing for Latina Youth | 555鈥�123鈥�4567 | Spanish, English | | Youth Support | Love is Respect 鈥� 鈥淭een Dating Violence鈥� Toolkit | loveisrespect.org/teen鈥慸ating鈥憊iolence | English & Spanish | | Mental鈥慔ealth | Latina Mental Health Alliance 鈥� Online counseling | info@latinamha.org | Spanish, English | | Technology Safety | 鈥淪afety Net鈥� mobile app (developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime) | Download via App Store/Google Play | English, Spanish, Portuguese | | 鉁旓笍 | Action | |----|--------| | I鈥檓
| Abuse Category | Typical Manifestations | Why It May Be Under鈥慠eported in Latina Communities | |----------------|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Physical | Hitting, slapping, choking, restraining, or forcing the teen to perform dangerous tasks. | Cultural emphasis on 鈥渇amily privacy鈥� and fear of being labeled a 鈥渢roublemaker.鈥� | | Sexual | Unwanted sexual contact, coercion, grooming, or exploitation (including online). | Stigma attached to sexual victimization; concerns about 鈥渇amily honor鈥� (familismo) and shame. | | Emotional/Psychological | Verbal insults, manipulation, threats, isolation, or controlling behavior (e.g., restricting friends, school, or social media). | Family hierarchy (respeto) can make it difficult to question an adult鈥檚 behavior. | | Economic/Financial | Withholding money, forcing the teen to work against school, or exploiting the teen鈥檚 labor. | Economic dependence and the expectation that children contribute to the household. | | Digital/Online | Cyber鈥慴ullying, non鈥慶onsensual sharing of images, sextortion, or grooming through social media platforms. | High internet usage among teens; language barriers may make it harder to recognize threats. |