Breaking Barriers and Building Resilience

How does BARCC Serve Spanish-Speaking Survivors during Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond?

En Español

During Hispanic Heritage Month, BARCC reaffirms its commitment to lifting up the survivors from this culturally rich and diverse community and empowering them to overcome barriers they face. According to a 2011 CDC study, 13.6% of Hispanic women were raped and 35.6% of Hispanic women experienced sexual violence other than rape during their lifetimes. However, language, cultural differences, and immigration status are some barriers that can prevent Spanish-speaking survivors from reporting sexual violence, and seeking or receiving the support they deserve.

BARCC’s clinical team is comprised of sexual assault specialists, highly trained counselors who provide trauma-informed care to all survivors. That trauma-informed lens impacts all of BARCC’s services, meaning we recognize the full picture of a survivor’s experience, serving them in a compassionate, accessible, and appropriate way. 

Bella Alarcon, BARCC’s Bilingual Senior Clinician and Expressive Therapies Specialist, describes trauma that many Hispanic survivors face as immigrants. “Immigrants have really good reasons for leaving home, and there is often trauma that comes along with immigrating. Then, sometimes, they experience trauma once they are here. But they are so resilient. There is so much strength that comes with being an immigrant to this country.” 

BARCC offers free, trauma-informed immigration services through Maria Vidano, our Bilingual Immigration Attorney, who walks survivors through complex legal processes that can be emotionally draining. “It makes a world of a difference that we can take our time and pause if something is too hard to talk about… without [the survivor] being concerned about a bill from their attorney,” says Vidano. 

Survivors may also struggle to find safe housing, health care, or their next meal. BARCC aims to lighten their loads through case management and community advocacy services. Bilingual Community Advocate, Carolina Núñez, describes, “Sometimes a person who has gone through trauma is really frozen. But it helps to just be with them, accompanying them and showing them how to navigate systems, how to push back and how to ask for what they need. Then, the hope is they can be that person, that guide, for someone else someday.” 

Núñez and Vidano both emphasized the importance of building strong relationships within this diverse community so that survivors know they have somewhere to turn when they need support. BARCC is also making progress in ensuring that our services remain accessible to this community.

“This year, we’ve updated our hotline platform so that the same prompts are available for Spanish speaking survivors,” says Lyor Dotan, Bilingual Hotline Services Program Manager. “It’s a first step in increasing our capacity. But we’re always looking for bilingual volunteers. We are taking the steps we need to show survivors that they are not alone, we’re ready to help and be with them.” 

Support from people like you makes it possible for Spanish speaking survivors to continue to access BARCC’s services, despite other institutional and societal barriers. “Many of our Spanish speaking survivors don’t have health insurance, and that means they have very limited access to long-term counseling after BARCC. It’s also difficult to find long-term counselors who are fluent Spanish speakers, who are accepting new clients,” says Alarcon. 

Furthermore, shares Vidano, “Organizations that provide immigration services are at capacity because each case can take years, sometimes decades, to complete. Unless we keep investing in this program, there will be no help for immigrant survivors.” 

There is so much more we can do together to provide the best possible care to Hispanic survivors, and this month, we’re inspired to deepen our commitment to serving the Latinex community.

Join us and donate now to support BARCC’s services for Spanish speaking survivors in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month!

Are you passionate about serving sexual violence survivors? ¿Habla español? Submit your volunteer application today.