Immigrant women make up a disproportionate number of domestic violence deaths, according to a Massachusetts organization's statistics. Even more immigrant victims of domestic violence may never report what happens to them because of fear of authorities or a lack of legal knowledge and resources.
In Waltham, a group of Latinas would like to change that.
Sponsored by Refuge, Education, Advocacy and Change Beyond Domestic Violence (REACH), the Latinas Know Your Rights Project will host a program today in the basement of Government Center, 119 School St. (move from Waltham Common due to inclement weather) to raise awareness of domestic violence.
The project, which gathers local Latino women who have graduated from a 10-week course on immigration, U.S. legal system and legal rights for victims of domestic violence, has been active in the community. This is the first time the group is holding a public event, said Gladys Maida, REACH's court community coordinator.
"They want to change the way the community deals with domestic violence," she said. "Many women are afraid of reporting abuse because they're afraid of the police and the courts."
Advocates have said many immigrant women who are here illegally fear any contact with authorities could lead to deportation.
Between 1997 and 2006, of all cases in which the ethnicity was known, 26 percent were immigrant women, said Tony Troop, spokeswoman for Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.
Immigrants make up 14 percent of the population in Massachusetts.
"We're deeply concerned about this disproportion," said Troop. "This is caused not because of the increase of violence in the immigrant community. It's because of additional barriers, that immigrant women face a greater risk."
So far this year, there have been 24 deaths, but the number of immigrant women is unknown, because victims' ethnicities are not always recorded, said Troop.
"We have to do more to break down those barriers that prevent victims from seeking help," said Troop. "If we don't do it, they could die."
The event will be held today from 3 to 6 p.m. on Waltham Common, and will include art displays such as The Clothesline Project and The Silent Witness Exhibit depicting experiences of domestic violence. T-shirts created by Waltham Latina survivors will be on display.
For more information on the event, call Gladys Maida at 781-891-0724 ext. 103.
(Liz Mineo can be reached at 508-626-3825 or lmineo@cnc.com.)
