Beyond Violence Survivorship: An analysis of self-efficacy and social capital formation within a circle of Latina survivors of violence

Violence against women constitutes a persistent societal problem best addressed within the scope of women's health. Existing literature indicates that the impact of violence on the lives of survivor women negatively influences their ability to build trusting relationships with family and friends as well as to maintain reliable networks of trust and support within their communities. Yet, there is a lack of services for victims and survivors that focus on the long-term effects of violence and the preceding factors that determine the experience of gendered violence. This study focuses on the experiential knowledge of Latina women survivors of violence and their perceived emotional and mental health needs. It explores the empowerment and community building opportunities that arise through their involvement in the creation and development of a women's circle. The article describes how participation in a women's circle enables Latina survivors to develop an improved sense of self-efficacy, build horizontal networks of trust and accumulate meaningful social resources, which are ultimately indicative of social capital formation. The author argues that in the future, support groups relevant to abused women in general, and Latina survivors in particular, will be determined by the degree of involvement that survivor women have in the creation, planning, programming, implementation and evaluation of local initiatives. Women, as experts in their own healing and as potential leaders within their communities require an opportunity to create their futures without violence, in fellowship with one another.