Listening circles with Latin@ faith leaders and community members

During Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), I reflect on the role of religion, faith, and spirituality have in our culture and the importance of gender-based violence (GBV) programs respecting and supporting survivors’ religious affiliations as another way to increase organizational cultural responsiveness.  

Mainstream programs are often mindful not to include religion as part of their programming. They do so, in part, to respect survivors’ diverse religious affiliations with some programs stating in their support-group guidelines that religion is not to be discussed. Some programs avoid religion because they know survivors have been harmed by their religious institutions. Too often, religious leaders offer religious couples counseling in the face of abuse or advise survivors to stay and pray, citing the sacredness of marriage. This advice only increases the isolation, hopelessness, and violence survivors experience.  

However, through listening sessions with Latin@ survivors and Latin@ faith leaders across the country, we, at Esperanza United have also heard about the transformational power of religion. It is often their faith organization and community that gives survivors the strength, support, information, and resources they need. The words of a Latina survivor in a listening session will always stay still stay with me. She shared, “I asked my bible group from church to come to my house and read with us so that he would change. He didn’t change. But I did. Through prayer and their support, I got the strength to seek safety for me and my children.” 

We’ve also heard from Latin@ faith leaders about their partnerships with Latin@ culturally specific programs. These leaders have helped Latin@ survivors access these community programs and invited Latin@ advocates to speak during services. Advocates told us that their collaboration with Latin@ faith institutions deepened during the height of the pandemic, as they collaborated on getting the community funds and basic needs. We also heard from survivors that prayer and their faith community were sources of support and connections during COVID-19.  

The Latin@ community in the United States is diverse, representing over 22 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and residing in all 50 states. These varied groups have their own histories, cultures, and norms. Additionally, we have intersecting identities like gender and gender identity, race, language, sexual orientation, class, political affiliation, and religion. And for this reason, one approach will not suffice. 

According to the American Journal of Community Psychology, a large number of Latin@ survivors are less likely to contact a mainstream GBV organization, instead confiding in a friend, family member, or neighbor.  It is therefore essential that both mainstream and culturally specific organizations partner with Latin@ communities and faith leaders. Building the necessary trust to have a meaningful relationship requires time and consistency. Identifying our shared values of advocating for the health, wellbeing, and safety of our communities strengthens our trust and magnifies our impact.  

Additionally, it is important to have a trauma-informed approach when listening to survivors to understand their realities, hopes, and strengths. If spirituality supports their resilience and their faith community increases their protective factors, these are assets to foster.  

For information on how to engage Latin@ faith communities and leaders, access tools, webinars, and resources created in collaboration with our partners at Safe Havens – Interfaith Partnership on Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse.