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Home > A-Z Health Topics > Minority Women's Health > Latinas > Violence

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Violence

Violence affects women of all backgrounds and all ages. Violence can have terrible and costly results for everyone involved, including families, communities, and society. Violence can take many forms, including domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual assault and abuse, dating violence, and elder abuse. Learn more about the different types of violence in our violence against women section.

If someone has hurt you, keep in mind, it is not your fault. You did not cause the abuse to occur and you are not responsible for the violent behavior of someone else.

If you're a victim of abuse or violence at the hands of someone you know or love, or you are recovering from an assault by a stranger, you are not alone. To get immediate help and support, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673. You can also visit the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.

Internet safety and abusive relationships

An abuser may be able to check your computer to see e-mails you sent and websites you visited. If you are concerned, try to use a friend’s computer or one at your local library. Learn more about technology and your safety.

Human Trafficking

Slavery. Many people think it's something from a history book. But modern-day slavery — human trafficking — is happening every day around the world and in the United States. In fact, about 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year. U.S. victims are mostly women and girls from Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Africa.

If you are a victim, know someone who is a victim, or know of a person(s) or operation you think may be involved in trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-3737-888. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center can help with calls from all regions of the United States. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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More information on violence in English

Read more from womenshealth.gov

  • Violence Against Women — Too many women suffer violence at the hands of someone close to them. This Web page provides abused women and their loved ones with resources and information they can use to get help. It also gives information about different types of abuse, including domestic violence, sexual abuse and assault, dating violence, and elder abuse.
    http://www.womenshealth.gov/violence-against-women/

Explore other publications and websites

  • Are You Being Abused? (Copyright © American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) — This simple quiz helps victims and those who care about them identify the signs of abuse. It encourages victims to seek assistance and gives phone numbers to call for help.
    http://www.acog.org/About_ACOG/ACOG_Departments/Violence_Against_Women/Are_you_Being_Abused
  • Domestic Violence: Protecting Yourself and Your Children (Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians) — This publication provides information on how to protect yourself and your children from domestic violence, where to go to get help, and other important facts you should know about domestic violence.
    http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/safety/crisis/052.html
  • Immigration - Basic Questions & Answers (Copyright © WomensLaw.org) — This publication is a question and answer sheet for non-citizen survivors of domestic violence. It explains where to go for help, victim's rights, and various other topics.
    http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=10269&state_code=US&open_id=10831
  • State Sexual Assault Coalitions — This publication offers a list of addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers of coalitions across the country that help with sexual assault.
    http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/statedomestic.htm
  • Understanding Intimate Partner Violence — This fact sheet provides information on the number of women who experience intimate partner violence, common behaviors of an abuser, and the effects abuse has on individuals and society.
    http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/IPV_factsheet-a.pdf
  • Understanding Sexual Violence — This fact sheet discusses the prevalence and incidence of sexual violence, risk factors, and consequences. It also provides some strategies to help prevent sexual violence.
    http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/SV_factsheet-a.pdf

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Más recursos en español (Additional resources in Spanish)

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Content last updated May 18, 2010.

Resources last updated May 18, 2010.

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