U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Preventing Sexual Violence in Latin@ communities: A National Needs Assessment

NCJ Number
242743
Date Published
2013
Length
147 pages
Annotation
This report from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center presents the results of a needs assessment of the problem of sexual violence in Latino communities in the United States.
Abstract
This report from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) uses data obtained from a national survey to conduct a needs assessment of the problem of sexual violence in Latino communities. The assessment identified needs that could be grouped into three broad categories: 1) the need for culturally informed resources for the community; 2) the need to build organizational capacity for cross-cultural work; and 3) the need for community partnerships and collaboration. The data were obtained from a Web-based national survey, phone interviews, and focus groups with individuals from sexual assault coalitions, community-based sexual violence programs, health departments, and culturally specific organizations working in Latino communities. Approximately 250 participants from all 50 States and 3 U.S. territories provided feedback to NSVRC. The assessment asked four questions 1) who are the key groups/organizations engaging in and/or supporting sexual violence prevention and intervention in Latino and/or Spanish-speaking communities; 2) what are the resource needs of professionals in the field engaging in sexual violence prevention and intervention in Latino and/or Spanish-speaking communities; 3) what is the cultural competency and Spanish-language capacity of programs and organizations to serve Latin0 and/or Spanish-speaking communities; and 4) what is the most effective role of the NSVRC in supporting advocates working with Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities? The assessment found that there is a need for greater systemic and coordinated efforts to improve sexual violence prevention and intervention services in Latino and/or Spanish-speaking communities. A set of recommendations for improving the work of the NSVRC is also discussed. Figures, charts, tables, references, and appendixes