A Word From the Experts

Today I set out on my first few interviews for my story about domestic violence. As always with journalism and working around everyone's changing schedules, two of the interviews were cancelled and two of them continued as planned. My first stop was at Parentlink, which is a warmline center for parents who need answers on how to better serve their family. The great part about it for my story is that they also operate the line in spanish and carry all of the parenting materials and resources in spanish as well. I spoke with a family support specialist who is bilingual and works with all of the Hispanic clients. She has had particular experience with victims of domestic violence and talked to me about how these Hispanic victims can receive help with just a simple phone call. The interview was interesting and inspiring. She answered many of my questions about what triggers domestic violence and how it can be resolved with the ultimate goal of keeping the partners as well as the children in a safe place. Being a Latina herself, she had some wonderful insight into the Hispanic community and was a great asset to my story.

After stopping by the station to upload and convert my video, I headed east to Fulton to speak with another woman who specializes in domestic violence victim advocacy in the Hispanic community. She works with the Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV) and is also bilingual. She was able to give me more insight into the problem of domestic violence and what local as well as national resources are available for immigrant families to get much-needed help. I was able to ask her about the legal issues with immigrant status and how women who can prove abuse in a relationship will not lose their status if they leave their husband. These details about protection and rights are seldom known in the Hispanic community and my story will get the message out so more Hispanic victims can find help without the fear of deportation. CARDV provided me with domestic violence help materials in spanish as well as other fact sheets and references about why and how domestic violence happens. Both of my interview subjects were extremely compassionate and knowledgeable about this issue and I learned a great deal today.

I am looking forward to some interviews later this week with people in the Hispanic community who use their church to communicate about domestic violence as well as a woman who has survived through the turmoil of a violent relationship. Speaking with them will give me a new inside perspective. The impact that their voices will have on the Hispanic community as they speak out against domestic violence is what I need to really make my piece hit home. More to come soon!