Linda Hernández has spent years supporting Latina women facing domestic violence.
As an activist, business owner and mother, Hernández approaches situations with empathy and humanity, ensuring women have the tools and support they need to leave unhealthy relationships.
“People have called me and told me, ‘My husband is beating me; what should I do?’ and my first question is, 'What do you want to do?'” Hernández said. “It’s not about what I want. I want to get you out; it’s about what you want to do.”
Domestic violence is a systemic issue that has deep impacts on the people who experience it, including their mental health. Domestic violence affects 12 million Americans yearly, and about 25% of women older than 18 have experienced physical violence committed by a partner in their life.
However, immigrant women often face additional burdens when dealing with abuse, including language barriers, fear of deportation, and scarcity of resources. Those factors make it harder for them to leave their partners to seek safety, adding to the mental load they carry.
Having a support network is crucial when leaving an abusive partner, but immigrant women may not have that support. Often, they are far away from friends and family.
“It’s very hard to leave violence on your own. It has to do with the inner strength of each woman, but she also needs somewhere to hold on when she realizes this is not the place for her,” said Ramona Santos, a clinical psychologist and a member of Voz Colectiva Comunitaria, an independent newsroom focused on preventing domestic violence.
Women who are experiencing domestic abuse need to feel supported, not judged. The abusive cycle often creates a psychological response and influences brain chemistry, making it easy for survivors to develop an attachment to the perpetrator — a condition also known as trauma bonding.
“It’s not easy at an emotional level to let go of the attachment that forms between a perpetrator and the victim because there is a strong codependency between them,” Santos said.
Additionally, the harsh immigration policies enforced by President Donald Trump’s administration add a layer of fear and anxiety that stops people from reporting abuse.
Women fear that pressing charges or getting medical help will lead to deportation, according to The Marshall Project.
Getting a warrant is critical in leaving a perpetrator and can help keep people safe. But recently, people have been hesitant even to attend court sessions.
One woman Hernández was helping didn’t want to go to court to get a restraining order against her abuser, as she feared immigration agents would take her, Hernández said.
“Now people are scared to report domestic violence due to fear of identifying themselves as a person without documents and that something may happen to them,” said Mariana Argülles, director of wellness at Puentes de Salud, an organization that provides bilingual healthcare services to members of the immigrant community. “Or even if they want to leave a domestic violence situation, there is a certain attachment to the aggressor and knowing that reporting might result in this person being detained or being deported.”
Resources are available to help women facing domestic violence, including shelters, counseling and legal aid. But some aren’t available for people without documents. This makes it harder for women seeking help.
“We have had cases in which someone is admitted to a [domestic violence] shelter, and they are there for a while, but then the process to get permanent housing through the shelter is not an option for them because they need a Social Security number,” Argülles said.
Stereotypes and cultural norms influence domestic violence. Latino cultures enforce patriarchal standards, normalizing violence between partners and making people believe violence is not a reason to exit a relationship.
Around one in three Latinas living in the United States experience domestic violence at some point in their lives, but in many Latino cultures, that problem is often considered a private matter that shouldn’t be discussed outside the home. That belief adds to the stigma victims face, according to a 2025 study by St. Mary’s University.
“Transgenerationally, machismo is deeply rooted in Latinos and their DNA, and unfortunately we have normalized the belief of ‘If he hits me, he loves me.’ No, who loves you doesn’t hurt you,” Hernandez said.
Overcoming cultural expectations can be mentally taxing and prevent people from reporting incidents to the authorities.
Learning about domestic violence, boundaries and consent is important for prevention. Teaching young people that love shouldn’t hurt can help fight cultural stereotypes and stop normalizing unhealthy behavior.
Juntos and Congreso de Latinos Unidos are organizations that offer legal support, including accompanying people to proceedings in criminal or family court so they feel more comfortable attending.
To contact Juntos, call 215-218-9079, fill out a form to connect with their Community Care Team, or complete the Accompaniment Request Form to get someone to accompany you to court.
Congreso de Latinos Unidos can be reached by calling 215-763-8870, ext. 3. People can also walk in Monday through Thursday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to access resources.
Puentes de Salud offers mental health services to immigrants who lack medical insurance because of their status. It partners with various organizations to support people who are facing domestic violence and will connect them with resources. To access Puentes de Salud, call 215-454-8000.
VozColectiva Comunitaria educates people on domestic violence prevention and regularly publishes information on its social media accounts: @vozcolectivacomunitaria on Instagram and Vozcolectiva Comunitaria on Facebook.
Cultivating self-love and rediscovering old hobbies can help women reconnect with who they were before the relationship and rebuild their identity, Santos explained.
Leaving an abusive relationship is difficult, but healing is possible.
“The soul can be fragmented, but it’s not broken,” Hernández said. “We need to learn how to heal ourselves.”
Metro Philadelphia and 2Puntos Platform are two of 30 news organizations powering the Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative. Follow us at @PHLJournoCollab.
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