LATINO WOMEN’S EXPERIENCE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Sexual violence is a public health problem worldwide that disproportionately impacts women. The consequences for survivors are multiple in terms of their overall health (i.e., reproductive health effects, psychological health, interpersonal unsafety, personal sense of worthlessness). Latino women, in particular, have reported higher rates of sexual violence than other populations in the United States. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Latino women who were sexually victimized as children and/or adolescents. In order to develop a better understanding of their lived experiences two research articles were completed: (a) a conceptual paper designed to explore socio-cultural and historical factors that are associated with the prevalence and perpetuation of sexual violence against Latino women, and (b) a descriptive phenomenological study to explore the experiences of 14 Latino women who were sexually victimized in their countries of origin. The conceptual paper revealed how religious symbols and cultural narratives grounded in patriarchal values influence the prevalence of sexual violence among Latino women. The phenomenological research study revealed four emergent themes that portrayed the participants’ experience: (a) gender expectations made it difficult for participants to cope with sexual violence, (b) deficient family support and boundaries made participants vulnerable to sexual violence, (c) experiencing sexual violence had long-lasting consequences for participants, and (d) multiple factors facilitated healthy coping with sexual violence. Participants acknowledged the need for this phenomenon to be addressed systemically, and the need for survivors to receive as much social support as possible. Researchers, healthcare providers, therapists, and church leaders with the knowledge about sexual violence and its prevalence among Latino women will improve the effectiveness of their participation in prevention and addressing the needs of the survivors.