Alianza Latina en contra la Agresión Sexual
(Latina alliance against sexual violence)

Mission Statement (adopted April 2006)
The Alianza Latina en contra la Agresión Sexual (ALAS) is a national Latina-led membership network of victim advocates working to address and prevent sexual violence. Through collaborative efforts and cyber activism, ALAS promotes the leadership of Latina victim advocates and develops models, resources and policies to empower communities and eliminate access barriers for survivors. ALAS honors the diversity of the Latin@ culture by respecting the similarities and differences of our languages and histories.

History
In 2003 Arte Sana embarked on what would become an international project in response to the many e-mail inquiries that it began to receive from primary and secondary victims of sexual violence regarding the availability of Spanish language victim services. The goal was to create an online directory of the different types of sexual assault victim services available in Spanish that are offered by agencies across the U.S. This rich experience of communicating with many Latina victim advocates, learning of the marginalized working conditions that most of them faced, and identifying the Internet as a possible forum for support, technical assistance, and resource development, led to the development of the Alianza Latina en Contra la Agresión Sexual or ALAS (Latina Alliance Against Sexual Aggression). Considering the great gaps in services and current level of over-extension of many Latina victim advocates, the decision was made to create an action-oriented working group that could actually engage in the online creative process rather than just share existing resources.

Initiated in February 2004, ALAS is a national Latina victim advocate’s group comprised of survivors, state sexual assault coalition and rape crisis center staff, immigrant and LGBT rights advocates, executive directors, consultants, professional trainers and university students. ALAS members’ collective experience spans over 25 years of anti-sexual violence work which includes national and international experience. The majority of ALAS members have bilingual skills that include speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish.

ALAS as a Latina Led Group
The ALAS listserv and working group was initiated and activated online by Arte Sana, a nationally recognized Latina led agency that incorporates elements of art, popular culture, and online technology to address sexual and intimate partner violence SIN Fronteras (without borders). Early on, Arte Sana learned of and witnessed first
hand, the power of “ciber-activismo” from the examples of Latina women’s rights advocates such as Laura Asturias in Guatemala. Arte Sana has been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, for its unique bilingual training and outreach programs.

How is ALAS different from other online groups?
ALAS is an action-driven online work group. We are open to Latina victim advocates who are interested in the creation of original, Spanish language, and culturally competent materials to address sexual violence among Latinas and Latinos, and those who would like to network, seek guidance from and/or support other Latina victim rights advocates,
professional trainers, state sexual assault coalition, and rape crisis center staff. While facilitated by Arte Sana, the ALAS listserv offers collective participation. ALAS members helped draft and agreed on the ALAS Membership Policy which promotes the action-driven aspect of the group. Open posting allows group members to choose the type of information they wish to share. All ALAS group activities are proposed and open to those who are interested. In an effort to preserve and enhance our cultural identity and professional development, Spanish language communication is encouraged and information regarding Latin American human rights causes and perspectives are shared.

 

ALAS Accomplishments via Cyber Activism
From its inception in February 2004, ALAS has proven the power of cyber activism in the following policy, materials, and leadership development areas:

Policy
In 2004, ALAS developed and voted on the adoption of its first position statement regarding Spanish language victim access: “Eliminating Barriers to Services for Latina/o Survivors of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence.”

Far from being an ‘on paper only document’ the position statement was given additional credibility as it was proposed to state victim rights coalitions across the country for adoption. ALAS members continued to draw awareness to the issues covered in the position statement via websites, listservs, coalition newsletters, as well as at national, and state conferences. To date, the ALAS position statement has garnered the support of thirty-seven state SA and dual SA/DV coalitions and five national organizations.

Materials Development
In October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2004, ALAS created an online resource directory of web resources en español.

For Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2005, ALAS members participated in an online focus group for the crafting of the core message of an original Arte Sana Spanish language brochure; “La víctima NUNCA es Culpable” (the victim is never to blame). The core message was printed and published online In Texas, throughout Latin America, and via a blog in Spain.

Leadership Development
In addition to the natural informal mentoring that occurs within this type of diverse action-driven group, all ALAS members are offered the opportunity to participate in state and national training events, and as national advisory council members to represent Latina/o victim interests. The value of the wealth of direct work and life experience is put on par with the skills of professional trainers and consultants for an ongoing, mutually beneficial learning experience.

As a means to validate the rich grassroots experiences often overlooked by mainstream victim service agencies and to share effective outreach strategies, ALAS members were encouraged to share their experiences via a national training forum. ALAS members contributed to the topics and areas of focus for the Nuestras Voces / Our Voices National Training Institute. Nine ALAS members will present in seven out of the 14
Nuestras Voces / Our Voices National Training Institute workshops and keynote presentations.

 

ALAS Membership
At this time ALAS membership is based on applicant eligibility and agreement with the ALAS Membership Criteria, and is offered free of charge. Due to the fact that ALAS is a Latina victim advocates’ endeavor that does not receive funding, but is facilitated and
functions solely through volunteer work, a minimal membership due may be required in the near future, with ample notice.

 

The Benefits of ALAS Membership
ALAS members are offered to opportunity to network with the nation's leaders in Latina victim advocacy.  RFP’s, policy input, national ‘call for action’ announcements, translations, technical support, program model previews, resource-sharing, the opportunity to participate in the creation of original Spanish language materials and to connect with and support women’s rights efforts in Latin America are just some of the benefits afforded ALAS members.

 

ALAS Members

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