ALIANZA - The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence is one of five domestic violence “cultural institutes” established for the purpose of leading a national effort to address domestic violence in and under-served Latino populations. The over-arching goal is to eliminate domestic violence in the Latino community by promoting education, ongoing dialogue, public awareness, networking and advocacy at the national level.

Alianza evolved out of a partnership that began in January 1997, between the Office of Community Services (OCS)/Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and a national Steering Committee composed of several Latinas and Latinos with a history of leadership in domestic violence work. DHHS acknowledged the fact that “one size” does not fit all communities and helped create “Cultural Institutes” in the African American, Asian/Pacific Islanders and Latino communities.

In November 1997, the Steering Committee and OCS organized the National Symposium on La Violencia Doméstica: An Emerging Dialogue Among Latinos, which was held in Washington, D.C. The Symposium brought together an interdisciplinary group of 40 Latinos and Latinas, including advocates, community activists, practitioners, lawyers, researchers, and domestic violence survivors to initiate a national dialogue about domestic violence in Latino communities—needs, concerns, assets and to begin to make recommendations for what actions needed to take place. The Symposium proceedings were published in August 1999.

One of the major recommendations that emerged from the Symposium was the creation of a national organization for ongoing dialogue, education, and advocacy. The Steering Committee adopted the current name for the organization in March 1999, and developed a mission, vision, and general goals.

We opened our doors in January 1999 with a 5-year start-up grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), after the agency acknowledged that the needs of our communities were not being adequately met by the “mainstream” domestic violence movement. Alianza became incorporated in June 2003 and received its tax-exempt status in 2004. We represent a growing national network of Latina and Latino advocates, practitioners, researchers, activists, and survivors of domestic violence. We evolved in 1997, eventually opened office in 1999 in New York City and in January of 2009, moved our location to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Currently Alianza is the only national 501(c)3 organization addressing domestic violence in the Latino population.

Though abuse can exist in all groups, Latinas face more barriers than non-Latinas. They often have taboos regarding their sexuality, gender role issues and the importance of ‘familia’. A strong sense of culture keeps Latinas from ‘betraying’ long-standing values. They believe their family obligations always come first no matter what personal animosities may exist. In Mexico, there is a law called ‘abondono de hogar’ which punishes women who leave their homes, even to flee violence. Women convicted of ‘abandoning the home’ often lose custody of their children. Women who are deeply religious may believe a violent spouse is their ‘cross to bear’. (taken from Mujeres Latinas en Accion)

According to NALEO, since 2000, 1 in 2 new US citizens is of Latino origin. Spanish is also the 2nd most common language in the US. With a growing Latino population, it is more important than ever to have a national institute specializing in culturally appropriate services surrounding the multitude of issues surrounding DV in this segment of the population.

Please view the charts below. It is apparent the Latino population’s need for domestic violence services is growing. It is more important now than ever that Alianza address these needs in order to break the cycle of violence in the Latino communities.