Arab American Family Services advocates have found that aside from benefiting the survivor, their advocacy services have also educated, informed and opened the door for cultural sensitivity at institutions, police departments, hospitals, courts and even other domestic violence agencies.
AAFS educates and creates a platform for survivors, community members and service providers to ask question and discuss issues that arise from complex cultural barriers.
AAFS recently assisted a 68-year-old woman who was physically, mentally and financially abused by her husband of 20 years.
The survivor is a limited English speaker and was very traumatized by the abuse she had endured. She had been assisted by three different social service agencies, including an elder abuse agency prior to seeking services at AAFS and unfortunately due to language and cultural barriers, she did not receive the services that she needed.
AAFS advocates were successful in assisting client with obtaining an order protection, connect and assist her with finding safe housing and helped her through the application process.
AAFS staff also advocated on her behalf to the Legal Assistance Foundation and was able to secure legal representation for her Order of Protection hearing as well as assisting her attorneys with initiating the divorce process.
This survivor had visited more than agency and her case did not progress until she was connected to AAFS.
If you or someone you know needs to speak to a domestic violence advocate, please call our 24-hour crisis hotline at (708) 945-7600.
(708) 599-2237
