Safe Exit
Jaya Drohan
Honoring Immigrant Heritage Month

Immigrant survivors, like anyone, may experience a variety of forms of intimate partner violence: such as physical, emotional, sexual, financial, spiritual, threats, and coercion. However, they also face unique and compounding risks. Language barriers, lack of culturally responsive services, and unfamiliarity with U.S. legal systems make it harder to seek help. Survivors may worry they won’t be believed because they don’t speak English fluently. They may fear that leaving an abusive partner will mean losing their children, their housing, or their chance at staying in the country. Many do not know their rights, and even in moments of extreme danger, feel they must choose between silence and exposure

Honoring Immigrant Heritage Month
Jaya Drohan
Shining a Light on the Impact of Domestic ...

Mental health challenges go far beyond routine stress, and this is particularly true for survivors of domestic violence (DV). Did you know that 20% of DV survivors develop mental health conditions as a result of their trauma? In this context, Mental Health Awareness Month offers an opportunity to understand how DV impacts mental health.

Shining a Light on the Impact of Domestic Violence on Mental Health
Lusero Arias
Empowerment Model: What is it and How it works

When we talk about helping domestic violence survivors, it’s easy to think first about shelters, police reports, or court systems. And while those are important, they’re only part of the bigger picture. At La Casa de las Madres, we operate under the Empowerment Model, which shifts the focus: it’s all about giving survivors the power to reclaim their lives—in their own way and on their own terms.

Empowerment Model: What is it and How it works
Jaya Drohan
Breaking the Silence: The History of Domestic ...

In 1976, a coalition of San Francisco women—many of whom had experienced domestic violence first hand—recognized the dire lack of resources available to survivors. At the time, emergency shelters for women fleeing abuse were virtually nonexistent, and the legal, medical, and political systems largely ignored the issue. Women who left abusive partners faced the terrifying reality of homelessness, financial insecurity, and, often, further violence. 

Breaking the Silence: The History of Domestic Violence and the Legacy of La Casa de las Madres
Jaya Drohan
Teen Dating Violence: Cyber Abuse

As we recognize February Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, we want to take a moment to uplift and honor the incredible strength of youth survivors. Your resilience inspires us every day.

Teen Dating Violence: Cyber Abuse

The Intersections of Domestic Violence & Trafficking

The Intersections of Domestic Violence & Trafficking

It is hard to imagine that a survivor of trafficking or domestic violence may have endured abuse at the hands of a loved one, like a family member of intimate partner -- but we know that the people closest to us can manipulate bonds created by love and belonging to exert force, control, and manipulate. The intersections between domestic violence and human trafficking run deep, and it is necessary to recognize the ways these forms of violence are linked to ensure survivors are given the appropriate tools to heal, and to create a world free from complex patterns of abuse.

Safety During the Holidays – Risks and Tips

Safety During the Holidays – Risks and Tips

“During the holidays, abuse can escalate or can intertwine with the kinds of stressors anyone may face this time of year—financial strains, family demands, travel plans, hosting duties—in ways that increase danger and instability,” explained La Casa’s Executive Director, Kathy Black. “There can also be the perception that services slow down or aren’t there for people during the holidays. At La Casa, it’s just the opposite."

Read about potential holiday triggers and tips to cope.

Back to School at La Casa’s Emergency Shelter

Back to School at La Casa’s Emergency Shelter

It’s back to school time in San Francisco! At La Casa’s emergency shelter there is a flurry of excitement in the air as our families prepare for the first day of school, seeing friends again and returning to a weekly school schedule. Returning to school or starting a new school can be a stressful time and It is important to set aside space to process these new changes and how they affect each individual differently depending on their experience.