Familias con Voz: Community Survey Results from an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Prevention Project with Migrant Workers

• NCJ Number: 228690
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 24 Issue: 8 Dated: November 2009 Pages: 649-660
• Author(s): Candace Kugel; Carmen Retzlaff; Suellen Hopfer; David M. Lawson; Erin Daley; Carmel Drewes; Stephanie Freedman
• Date Published: November 2009
• Length: 12 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In order to obtain data upon which to base the design of a migrant-specific peer education program (Familias con Voz) for improving family relationships and awareness of services to address intimate partner violence, a survey was conducted in order to document perceived types and causes of IPV among the Hispanic population in migrant communities.

Abstract

A community survey with 298 respondents in 3 Texas border counties found that verbal abuse was the most commonly recognized type of IPV (72 percent), with a significant minority (36 percent) reporting more severe types of physical and sexual IPV. Alcohol and drugs were reported most often (72 percent) as the cause of IPV. Respondents most often cited "seeking assistance from police" as the way to decrease IPV. Overall awareness of resources for addressing IPV was low (22 percent), with shelters, clinics, and churches rarely mentioned as important options for victims of IPV. Still, an unexpected majority of respondents (86 percent) indicated they would seek help (i.e., be willing to act) if they witnessed or experienced IPV. Significantly more men than women perceived anger as a cause of IPV. Also, significantly more men than women selected the police as a resource for help. These findings highlight the importance of informing migrants about local resources for dealing with IPV, including information about alcohol and drug treatment programs. The migrant farmworker population, which was targeted for this survey, is a group that moves from farm to farm in order to secure agricultural employment. The Migrant Clinicians Network (MCN) has been involved with peer-led community-based prevention projects with the Hispanic/Latino migrant population since 1989, with a focus on IPV among migrants. The MCN conducted this survey in preparation for launching the Familias con Voz (Families With a Voice) program in 2001. 1 figure, 3 tables, 28 references, and appended interview form (Spanish)