This week an Illinois program provides specialized services to Latina survivors:

Mujeres Latinas en Acción is a Chicago-based domestic violence program that offers advocacy and other services to Latina survivors; Mujeres receives a STOP subgrant that supports its 24-hour crisis line.  Maria* contacted the program through the crisis line and disclosed that she was the survivor of domestic violence perpetrated by her husband, Carlos.  Maria told the crisis line worker that she was unemployed, had three adolescent sons, and wanted to learn about her rights and options.  She explained that there were no signs that Carlos was an abuser before she married him; she trusted him and felt secure.  A few months after their wedding, Carlos began insulting and physically assaulting her.

Within hours of her first phone call to Mujeres, Maria drove to Mujeres’ office in Chicago from her home in Northwest Indiana.  She expressed to the advocate how happy she was to learn that she had options.  The advocate completed her intake, assessed her service needs, and explained the rights and options available to her under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act.  Maria learned about available economic resources and was motivated to find employment.  She expressed the desire to file for divorce and move to Chicago.  Her advocate furnished a list of civil legal attorneys who might be able to represent her pro bono in the divorce proceedings.  The advocate also referred her to LUCH, an organization in the community that offers a rental assistance program for domestic violence survivors.

Maria told her advocate that she felt relieved to have called the crisis hotline, which represented her last option for escaping from her abusive husband.  Her advocate offered to give her a list of domestic violence service providers in Northwest Indiana.  Maria said that she preferred to continue working with Mujeres because felt comfortable with her advocate – she was bilingual/bicultural and understood Maria’s barriers and needs.

The following day, Maria called her advocate to tell her that she had contacted LUCH; she learned that she qualified for six months of rental assistance and would be able to transition to her own apartment.  Maria also shared that she made an appointment with one of the legal service providers and would receive free legal services.  In the ensuing weeks, she traveled to Mujeres for individual counseling sessions as she began prepared to move out of the home that she shared with her husband. 

Maria was granted a divorce and custody of her three adolescent sons.  She now lives with them free of abuse in the Chicago apartment that she secured through the rental assistance program.  Maria found a job and furnished her new apartment.  She completed ten weeks of individual counseling and is interested in participating in the parent support program so she can learn effective discipline practices and help her sons adjust to the changes in their lives. 

*Not her real name.