The Only Safe House for Abused Women

Up until 1998, victims of domestic violence in Honduras could not press formal charges. They were told to work out the issue on their own.

By Robin Hauenstein/Janice Sweitzer
Walk through the wards in the public hospital in Santa Rosa de Copán and try to count all of the victims of violence. Domestic violence is the top cause of most of the injuries to children and women. One woman was waiting on plastic surgeons to try and fix her machete-hacked face, and another woman was in the public health center X-ray lab, after saying she was hit in the face, although she declined to say what happened. Many children in the hospital were injured protecting their mother or other siblings.

Even though the numbers are high of abuse-related injuries, until recently, little was done to try to curb the violence. Studies done by the United Nations showed 65 percent of police calls in Honduras are domestic violence-related. Orrville, Ohio-based Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO) is trying to change that in the northwest department of Copán. The problem is complex and while the job is far from over, the CAMO team is working with the Hondurans to bring about change.

Up until 1998, victims of domestic violence in Honduras could not press formal charges. They were told to work out the issue on their own. However, training has been done nationwide at police stations to try and bring the problem under control. CAMO didn't wait; it built a safe house for area women and children and has been working with numerous agencies to promote safer homes.

Casa Hogar is the name for the safe house. It sits on a hill overlooking much of the city of Santa Rosa. The strategically-located building is next to the trade school supported by CAMO, and the hospital’s shelter for unwed mothers-to-be. It is currently in operation as the only Domestic Violence Center in Honduras. (1/24/12)

Note: The authors were volunteers with Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO) of Santa Rosa de Copán and Orrville, Ohio.