CASA's Violence Prevention Program

Combating Domestic Violence through Raising Awareness and Developing Support Networks

CASA's founder was a social worker and its first employee was a psychologist. During the organization's first ten years of community outreach work, these professionals and the first peer counselor team dealt with many cases of inter-family and sexual violence, as well as other examples of abuse. Counseling was provided and CASA staff often accompanied the individuals and their families when they sought a legal resolution for their problems.

In 1994, in an attempt to scientifically document and better understand the pervasive and rampant violence it encountered, CASA, in collaboration with Population Council, the well-known international research NGO, undertook a study on Sexual and Domestic Violence. 504 women who were clients of CASA's outpatient medical services provided the sample. This was one of the first formal studies of violence ever conducted and published in Mexico.

Results included a stunning fact: more than 60 percent of the women reported daily exposure to violence and the perpetrator was most often their husband. And, as is often the case in the cycle of violence, 80% of those who reported receiving violence confessed to being violent with their children. Sadly enough, the women who worked out of their homes were victims of violence at an even higher rate than women who did not work outside the home. The prevalence and severity of these situations reaffirmed the urgent need for focused education on numerous themes including stress management, gender roles and women's rights. It also pointed up the need for intervention on a home-to-home basis in order to ameliorate the problem at its roots - in the household. The study pointed out the need for a more comprehensive support-system for victims of domestic violence. Since the 1990s, CASA has been providing pro-bono legal assistance to women. In the year 2000 CASA and a team of pro-bono lawyers supported and advocated for the end to impunity for minor sex offenders; specifically the team assisted a young 13 year old who was raped by 4 minors pursue her case legally. As a result, laws on the state level were activated, lessening the possibility of impunity for those who commit sexual crimes.

CASA's multiple peer teams have gradually integrated violence-prevention and rights-awareness into their outreach programs. Workshops and talks begin by addressing the myths and realities of domestic violence, the identification of the potential causes of violence, aggression, and sexual abuse, and the potential physical dangers and mental-health risks of allowing a violent relationship to persist. They then move towards legal rights in the State of Guanajuato, in Mexico, and around the world. They provide methods for achieving equality in a relationship, and for developing personal strength and support outside of that relationship, through networks of people, knowledge of human rights, and self-empowerment. Additionally, the CASA theater team has special performances that specifically deal with violence. In 2005-2007 the theatre team performed its play, Violencia, 47 times per year.

On an annual basis CASA creates and runs numerous educational campaigns dedicated to women's rights and the eradication of domestic violence. Yearly, on December 15th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, CASA organizes a campaign in San Miguel involving various social groups and personal networks throughout the region. In 2006 more than 2000 people participated.

Due largely to the increased funding for anti-violence programs through San Miguel Walk, in 2005, CASA formally opened a department dedicated specifically to the addressing of the issues of interfamily and sexual-violence. A second psychologist was hired who works exclusively with problems associated with violence. In 2006, this department published a detailed, step-by-step manual on how to avoid violence and how to pursue your rights if you are subjected to violence. The first 500 copies of this manual were provided free to non-profit and governmental agencies, educational institutions and others. It is also available at a low cost to the public. In 2007, the CASA psychologists began an outreach program to work with 9 rural church groups designed to educate the members on the recognition and prevention of domestic violence, gender equity and sensitivity to gender stereotyping. The goal of this program is to greatly expand the local rural knowledge base on how to recognize and deal with instances of domestic violence and abuse and an individual's rights within the law. When the first groups are fully trained, new groups are started.

San Miguel Walk

Walk to End Domestic Violence

Walkers from the San Miguel Walk 2005

The annual San Miguel Walk is a one day awareness and fund raising walk to help prevent Domestic Violence. Its goal is to raise consciousness about the high rate of domestic violence against women and children in Mexico and throughout the world and to raise funds for CASA's program to combat and prevent it.   For more than 100 years, an annual religious pilgrimage has drawn people throughout Mexico to the Basilica of the Virgin of San Juan de Los Lagos in the state of Jalisco. Participants of the San Miguel Walk to Help Prevent Domestic Violence join these pilgrims for one day (approximately 10 miles) of their pilgrimage, raising tens of thousands through donations and sponsorships.   >> Join With US   Help by sponsoring a walker, or by participating yourself.   And for more information, consult San Miguel Walk 2008   November 25th International Day Against Violence Against Women   Violence Prevention Program with Tables in central San Miguel CASA had a great reception this last November 25th when it set up informative tables, complete with videos, pamphlets, and information about CASA-run workshops, as well as an anti-violence T-shirt and bracelet sale. As one of the first publicity campaigns for CASA's youngest program, it was an incredible success, reaching over 600 visitors, and helping to spread awareness not only about the existence of domestic violence, but even more importantly, about the wide support networks which CASA's Violence Prevention Program is in the process of building.   Awareness Campaigns   The Violence Prevention Program participates in a number of awareness campaigns alongside the other CASA peer counselor programs. Together, the CASA promoters take every opportunity they can to reach new clients, informing them of CASA's myriad services, and often providing free anti-violence or family planning consultations and methods in the same conversation. Their efforts culminate during March 8th, International Women's day; November 25th, International Against Violence Against Women; and December 1st, World AIDS Day. Approximately 2,500 people participate in these events, and CASA's tables, in terms of both staff presence and information, are often the most visible of the organizations and government offices who participate.   CASA's Promoters Tabling on World AIDS Day 2005

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