MiA provides support by and for Latine communities
At a glance
- One in three Latine community members will experience domestic abuse
- Mujeres in Action is Spokane’s dedicated resource for domestic violence survivors from Latine communities
- Through wraparound bilingual services and advocacy, Mujeres in Action is reducing barriers to support
When Candy Rosas was looking for support to leave an abusive relationship, she was discouraged to find that no one understood the cultural aspects of her situation.
“I’m grateful that I was stubborn enough to persevere and push through, but plenty of people need that extra support,” Rosas says.
Years later, she saw a Facebook post from Mujeres in Action looking for volunteers. Seeing this organization’s support for domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA) survivors in Latine* communities, she immediately signed up.
From the courts and criminal justice system to services such as health care, housing and transportation, Rosas says there’s a significant need for cultural education in Spokane.
That’s where Mujeres in Action (MiA) comes in.
By and for the Latine community
The idea for MiA came after founder Hanncel Sanchez discovered very few Spanish-speakers called the DV and SA support hotline she was volunteering for. Just because Latine communities weren’t calling, though, doesn’t mean the need wasn’t there, explains Ana Trusty, MiA director of communications.
Statistics confirm that:
- More than 40,000 Spokane County residents speak a language other than English at home
- One in three Latine community members will experience domestic abuse
- The Latine community experiences higher rates of violence than their white counterparts, and Black and Indigenous women suffer at even higher rates
In 2018, Sanchez and five other women created MiA — the first nonprofit in Spokane dedicated to serving DV/SA survivors from Latine communities through culturally responsive, lifesaving services and education from a Latine perspective.
“MiA is a truly unique organization in Spokane,” says Trusty. “Our team members all share the lived experiences of the populations they serve, being bilingual in English and Spanish and understanding firsthand the challenges faced by historically underserved communities.”
Abuse does not discriminate and neither does MiA, she says. The nonprofit’s services are open to all genders, ages, cultures, languages and immigration statuses, and regardless of when the abuse occurred or what kind.
MiA is survivor-centric, which means survivors lead the decision-making and can learn what an equitable relationship looks like.
MiA’s programs include:
- Mente y Corazon (Mind and Heart): Wraparound case management to support survivors as they navigate the health care and criminal justice systems; help them understand their rights and utilize community services; and be available to listen to and believe their experience
- Puerto Seguro (Safe Harbor): Housing services that help secure safe housing in both emergency and long-term situations for individuals and families, including vouchers and application assistance
- Primera Conexion: 24/7 hotline (509-795-2028) that offers free bilingual and confidential support from trained advocates to survivors, families/friends and community members
- Arte and Cafecito (Art and Coffee): Support groups that use creative outlets as therapy and build connections
- Jovenes in Action (Youth in Action): Healthy relationship program for youth aimed at stopping the cycle of abuse
- ComUnidad & Accion (Community and Action): In-house advocacy group that promotes local and state policy changes to reduce systemic barriers
Throughout all these programs, MiA’s work begins with education and breaking down cultural stigmas.
Education is the first step
“A big misconception we’re working against is the idea that DV is normal in our culture. But it’s not,” Rosas says. “It’s all about not airing your dirty laundry or speaking up — and maintaining your family status.”
In many cases people don’t realize what they’ve experienced was abuse because it’s become normalized, particularly if it wasn’t physical, explains Teresa Sorroche, MiA program supervisor. One of the first lessons MiA teaches is how power and control come in many forms, such as emotional abuse, isolation, threats, or using children, immigration status or finances against someone.
Even with that knowledge, a survivor still faces blame and shame when they come forward. It’s common to hear people say, “Why don’t they just leave?” without realizing the deeper cultural impacts of such a decision, Rosas explains.
“Depending on the person’s background, it’s not just a religious or cultural taboo, but also a fear of the laws,” she adds — especially for MiA’s immigrant clients.
Immigrants are more likely to face forms of isolation, financial abuse or threats of deportation, and without knowing their rights in the United States, they may not act to protect themselves, Sorroche explains.
Breaking down barriers
Specific visas and other options are available for survivors, Trusty says. But knowing how to find this information can be a challenge for someone new to the country, especially if they have been isolated by their partner or they don’t speak much English.
“They may not know the most basic things when it comes to navigating systems here in the Inland Northwest,” Trusty explains. “The barriers to service are so much bigger than anything. That’s why we go hand-in-hand with survivors, go to appointments with them, etc.”
In recent years, MiA has partnered with community organizations and city/county departments to address some of these barriers, such as providing civil protection order applications in nine languages and adding informational posters inside the Spokane County courthouse in eight languages, as well as explaining language justice rights.
Many local health care providers have interpreters available, including MultiCare. But navigating insurance coverage and specialty clinics can present a challenge, Rosas says, which can stop people from seeking care.
Other resources have improved language access over the years, such as Spokane Transit and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, but it’s still up to an individual to find the resource, Rosas adds.
It can be hard to know where to start when many applications — such as those for licenses, leases or jobs — are only in English. Through Mente y Corazon, survivors have a guide to navigate the next steps of their lives.
”We all know someone that has suffered, most likely in silence. We can all have a part in eliminating violence by learning how to become an ally and calling out unhealthy behaviors.”
MiA goes beyond just language access, though. Advocates can connect with participants in a meaningful way because they’re grounded in a shared identity and understanding, Trusty says.
Cultural and trauma-informed training is one way other community organizations, leaders and providers can improve the experience of survivors, though. Lessons can be applied to communities of all kinds to ensure that all underserved populations have access to the support they need.
Asking for support isn’t a weakness
“MiA has been here for six years, so now we’re starting to see the results of participants and it’s amazing,” Sorroche says. “It was amazing to see them show up and say, ‘I need help,’ and now be independent, have a job and be giving back now, too.”
The best way the community can be part of this change is to recognize that abuse happens everywhere, she adds. Organizations like MiA exist for a reason, but patterns of abuse can be stopped.
Whether you’re a survivor looking for support, a concerned friend or family member, a business owner who wants to better help their employees or a community leader looking to be part of the change, MiA welcomes you to join their mission.
“The point is that we all know someone that has suffered, most likely in silence,” Trusty says. “We can all have a part in eliminating violence by learning how to become an ally and calling out unhealthy behaviors.”
*MiA promotes “e” (as in “Latine”) to indicate gender inclusivity, rather than “@” or “x” (as in “Latin@” or “Latinx”).
“Partnering for healing and a healthy future” is MultiCare’s mission, and it inspires us to form connections that help improve the quality of life for our communities. Community organizations all around us are doing amazing work, and we’re inspired and excited to support that work.
Stories from our Community is an ongoing series conceived to dive into some of these organizations*, bring their stories to life and spread the word about how they are making our communities better.
*Some of the organizations profiled in this series are recipients of MultiCare’s Community Partnership Fund, which awards funds to nonprofit organizations working on initiatives, programs and projects that improve our community.
