Meet the Team Behind: La Casa De Las Madres

La Casa De Las Madres works with domestic violence victims in the San Francisco area to provide support and resources to keep them safe. Their educational programs empower communities to understand the issue and how to help those facing abuse. Learn more about their work to end violence against women and children here! 

Can you tell me about the need for your work? 

Our mission is to respond to calls for help from domestic violence victims of all ages, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We give survivors tools to transform their lives, helping to prevent future violence by educating the community and redefining public perceptions about domestic violence. Since 1976, we’ve provided over 3.8 million minutes of counseling to survivors and housed over 14,500 survivors in our shelter. Our prevention methods help people understand the signs of domestic violence to stop it before it begins, and our intervention programs equip victims with the resources they need to feel safe again. 

How do you define domestic violence? 

At its core, domestic violence is about power and control. It’s an escalating pattern of abuse in which one partner controls the other through force, intimidation, or the threat of violence. But, it’s more than physical assaults. It can include sexual, economic, verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse, in addition to physical. Abusers use threats of harm, isolation, jealousy, finances, and children to exert power over victims. Oftentimes the violence goes in phases— the tension building phase, the explosion phase, and the apologetic phase. No one is responsible for someone else’s violence, and it’s important that victims seek help to escape harm and rebuild their lives. 

What kind of services do you offer survivors? 

We provide safety and support in times of crisis, and work with survivors to increase their access to resources and tools that will help them build lives free from fear and abuse. Our crisis response phone line has live, trained staff who can help in times of need. We also have emergency confidential shelter services for those in imminent danger. We work with women, teens, and kids to teach them to explore their strengths and rebuild lives free from violence. We also offer professional training to ensure survivors have access to employment and financial resources so they aren’t economically tied to their abuser.

What does your community outreach entail? 

Everyone is responsible for creating a culture in which healthy relationships and safety are accessible for all people. Through education and outreach, we teach individuals to recognize signs of abuse, understand why it happens, gain skills to support others who are experiencing abuse, and increase public awareness about the issue. We have interactive workshops and trainings that can be tailored to fit the needs of the community we’re working with. Our outreach programs are accessible for all people— young adults, survivors, community leaders, service providers, and anyone else who is interested in learning more and making a difference.