DECIMOS NO MÁS, a new campaign, hopes to facilitate communication between Latino children and parents. The NO MÁS project promotes the notion that conversations about healthy sexual behaviors, consent and domestic violence will empower young people to act responsibly.

Domestic violence involves not only physical abuse, but coercion, threats, control and manipulation. Additionally, sexual assault is crime of control and power, involving the penetration of an individual's body, attempted rape, unwanted sexual touching or fondling, and forcing a person to perform sexual acts. NO MÁS, a coalition designed to address sexual assault and domestic violence, was launched in early 2013. Advocacy groups, major corporations, services providers, and the U.S. Department of Justice linked hands to amplify messages about domestic violence and sexual assault. The initiative is supported by organizations, universities, communities and individuals.

On Nov. 17, NO MÁS and Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network announced DECIMOS NO MÁS. With the theme "Their Hero is You," DECIMOS NO MÁS offers a number of creative concepts to equip parents with the resources and knowhow to discuss domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as other important and sensitive topics. It's believed that these conversations and Latino engagement will help play a fundamental role in ending sexual assault and domestic violence.

According to the National Latin@ Network, 1 in 3 Latinas will experience domestic violence during their lifetime and 1 in 12 Latinas have experienced domestic violence in the past 12 months. About 28 percent of Latinos know someone who was a victim of sexual assault, and more than half of U.S. Latinos know a victim of domestic violence. That same research showed that married immigrant women are more likely to experience domestic violence than unmarried women. Also, while most parents believe children are unaware of the domestic violence in their homes, Latino youth who witness domestic violence experience higher risks of poor health outcomes. Approximately 15 million U.S. children live in homes where they witness domestic violence.

Drugs and alcohol abuse, and a lack of respect for the opposite sex are believed to be the lead contributing causes for domestic violence and sexual assault among U.S. Latinos. Young people, like older generations, are impacted by the high number of incidents of domestic violence or sexual assault they witness. Approximately 44 percent of Latinos under 25 years old know a victim of domestic violence and 27 percent of Latinos under 25 know a victim of sexual assault. Additionally, expectant mothers are more prone to emotional and physical abuse. Latinas are also reportedly less likely than non-Latinos to seek access to shelters, which is particularly true for immigrant Latina survivors.

However, there are some positives. According to DECIMOS NO MÁS, the Latino community has displayed a willingness to address sexual assault and domestic violence. Approximately 54 percent of Latino parents have talked to their children about domestic violence and/or sexual assault, compared to just 29 percent of non-Hispanic parents. To continue this trend, DECIMOS NO MÁS has prepared bilingual resources, helpful conversation starters for parents, and tools and tips on how to talk about domestic violence and sexual assault.

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