Eleven leaders of law enforcement, domestic violence services, and the faith community met for a roundtable discussion led by the Chester County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). It was Domestic Violence Awareness Month, as well as Faith and Blue weekend—when faith-based organizations, law enforcement, and other community groups strengthen connections. The group addressed an important question: How can we help Latinx community members feel more comfortable reporting domestic violence?

The discussion among representatives from the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC), YoungMoms, West Chester (WCPD) and Coatesville police departments, Church of the Loving Shepherd, Unionville Presbyterian Church, and the CCSO—which serves Protection from Abuse orders—revealed what was working. That included experienced DVCCC advocates and police liaisons with the right language skills to support victims maneuvering justice and recovery systems and having video capability throughout multi-step processes to help survivors without transportation. 

What was needed included more advocates and video solutions, education about domestic violence and the diversity of the Latinx community, speakers of Spanish, funding, community conversation, and additional representatives at the roundtable.

A follow-up meeting took place on November 30 with additional representatives from the Oxford Police Department and Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families. They discussed solutions in progress resulting from the earlier gathering. One example of change is that after hearing about the WCPD’s program of video arraignment for Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders—the first of its kind in Pennsylvania—the Coatesville Police Department is setting up a similar program. Such video capabilities help domestic violence survivors who don’t have transportation, may feel overwhelmed in a courthouse, or appreciate the protection of remaining at the police station during the process of obtaining a PFA. Video capabilities also eliminate travel time for officers, translators, and other justice personnel. 

“Graziella,” a survivor of domestic violence who now helps other survivors, told her story at the roundtable. She educated the group about her fear of speaking out, wishes for more helpers who spoke her original language, and appreciation of police officers who projected a gentle demeanor when asking her questions and connected her with the DVCCC. Her story highlighted the impact of choosing to report domestic violence despite cultural taboos and receiving the right support. It also underscored the need for more community members to receive education about what healthy, respectful relationships look like and red flags for domestic violence.

To learn more about domestic violence prevention and how you can help, visit the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County’s website, www.dvcccpa.org.