Lorena Mora-Mowry interviews Dr. López-García, a clinical psychologist in Southwest Ohio, regarding the lessons we have learned from Dolores Huerta—the iconic civil rights leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers union—that it is never too late to break the silence surrounding sexual abuse and to support women who raise their voices to reveal allegations of sexual assault, such as those who came forward against the late labor leader, César Chávez, in a New York Times report.
In this interview for “Latina Today” podcast in Spanish, Lorena Mora-Mowry and Dr. López-García discuss why survivors of abuse remain silent for the sake of a movement, an institution, a family, or a man’s legacy—and how we can combat this silence surrounding sexual abuse within our community. The interview delves into the psychological, social, and cultural factors contributing to this silence, highlighting the significance of Dolores Huerta’s courageous act of breaking the silence after 60 years.
“Every person has their own motives. In Dolores Huerta’s case, it was her conviction regarding the cause. Had she reported the abuse at that time—when the movement was in full swing and bringing about change—she would have discredited the leader. Dolores Huerta prioritized the cause over reporting the abuse, a decision that ultimately led her to place two of her children up for adoption so they could have a better life. This demonstrates her commitment to the cause—a commitment that often compels others to remain silent. For instance, reporting abuse by a family member can shatter family unity. Silence may also stem from a fear of losing one’s job, marriage, or reputation. There are many reasons why someone chooses to remain silent, but there is always a reason,” says Dr. López-García.
Dolores Huerta leveraged her celebrity and privilege to support the women featured in the report, revealing that she, too, had suffered the very same experiences.
Supporting women is crucial to lending them credibility. We can now say that Dolores Huerta’s new cause is to stand by other women who endured what she did, yet chose to remain silent. When these women began to reveal what was happening, Dolores Huerta decided to support them—fully aware that her voice would lend greater credibility to the accounts of the ugly events they had suffered. Dolores Huerta—who has always taught us lessons in courage and the importance of making one’s voice heard and standing strong—now offers Latinas a new lesson: break the silence.
We learned from this experience, yet it is never too late to report such incidents and remain vigilant. We have the privilege of helping and supporting those who endure this, making their struggle our own cause. Supporting other women was a crucial step; it empowered those who spoke out, granting them a voice and credibility—despite the skepticism, judgment, criticism, or disbelief they faced. It brought the issue of sexual assault to the forefront—a subject that demands greater attention. Silence has its reasons, but reporting sexual harassment or assault is both important and liberating, explains Dr. López-García.
This is a reality that affects the United States, just as it does every other part of the world.
Victims of sexual assault often remain silent due to a confluence of psychological, social, and cultural factors. Silence is a common response, driven by emotional distress, social pressures, and the sexual taboos prevalent in our cultures—taboos that instill a sense of shame when speaking about something as deeply intimate as an assault that violates one’s physical integrity. These factors collectively contribute to the fact that many women choose not to report the assaults they have suffered.
It is a fear of retaliation; victims fear that their attacker will harm them again. Furthermore, the perpetrator is sometimes someone close to them—such as a family member or a boss—which heightens the risk involved. This was certainly the case for Dolores Huerta: given that César Chávez was a prominent leader in the cause she believed in—and indeed, still believes in—with such fervor, she chose to remain silent for the sake of that cause—the very cause for which he was fighting, and for which she was fighting right alongside him.
It was of great importance to her—and judging by her own words—that she neither wished to harm the cause nor see that individual lose the respect he commanded. She knew that, otherwise, the cause would be distorted, thereby damaging the very movement in which she was an active participant. She chose to remain silent—a decision that must also be viewed through the lens of the era in which these events took place: the 1960s. At that time, sex was a far greater taboo, and society was much quicker to pass judgment on women—though, of course, men were not entirely exempt from such scrutiny either. This was the reality faced by those women who found themselves in such situations.
There is a tendency to judge victims rather than empathize with them—to question their presence, their attire, or whether they were alone. This engenders deep shame, causing victims to feel a sense of guilt and to wonder whether they could have somehow avoided the situation. This confusion intensifies when the aggressor is someone they admire or with whom they feel a close bond. It is crucial to understand that sexual abuse encompasses any sexual contact, behavior, or activity undertaken without a person’s free and clear consent. Unwanted physical contact—regardless of the surrounding circumstances—constitutes sexual assault.
Dolores Huerta waited 60 years before speaking out about the sexual abuse she endured, for the timing of such a disclosure is a decision that rests solely with the affected individual. She ultimately decided to speak out in order to lend support to other women who were reporting similar instances of abuse. Given her stature and reputation, her statement would lend greater weight to the allegations made by these other women—allegations that might otherwise have lacked credibility in the public eye. She waited so as not to discredit the cause, thereby ensuring the continued momentum of the movement. Upon learning that other women had also suffered such abuse, she resolved to break her silence and validate the truth of their experiences.
Dolores leveraged her celebrity status—her fame—to establish that crucial credibility for these women, as many people had previously doubted the veracity of their accusations against César Chávez.
As Dr. García-López observes: It is a common phenomenon for people to pay closer attention to celebrities than to individuals hailing from rural or working-class backgrounds—perhaps in the hope of deriving some personal benefit. Dolores Huerta utilized her standing as a public figure—drawing upon her credibility and integrity—to stand in solidarity with these women and to help break the silence surrounding such abuse. The words of celebrities carry significant weight, and Dolores ultimately chose to speak out because she, too, had been a victim. She said: “If I don’t speak up, the pain of these women will not be respected.” Now there is talk of removing names from streets and holidays—such as César Chávez Day—to rename them “Movement Day,” which I think is a fabulous idea. And well, let’s be honest: he used his privilege as a leader to abuse others.
To combat the silence surrounding sexual abuse in our community, Dr. López-García emphasizes the importance of providing information and refusing to normalize sexual assault. We must respect the vulnerability of victims and refrain from pressuring them to speak. Every individual has their own healing process, which involves stages such as confusion, anger, shame, and social stigma. To encourage reporting, we must believe victims, empathize with them, listen without judgment, and provide information regarding their rights—particularly to undocumented individuals, who are often unaware of their rights. Support, empathy, information, and belief are crucial for breaking the cultural and social silence that prevents victims from reporting abuse.
It is never too late to break the silence, says Dr. López-García: “No matter how much time has passed, it matters—and she used her celebrity status to make that point.” We must use our privileges to help those in our community who are suffering. How can we break the silence and engage in conversations like hers? We must also speak plainly and name those responsible.
If consent was absent—or if they were sexually abused while still minors—they must speak out and break the silence surrounding this taboo.
Dr. López-García emphasizes the importance of normalizing the emotions commonly experienced by victims of sexual harassment or abuse—such as shame, guilt, and overwhelming fear. She insists that the community must listen to and educate itself on these emotional aspects, rather than focusing solely on the details of the sexual assault itself. Information is key to conducting effective interviews, fostering community dialogue, and eliminating the stigma that renders women vulnerable and subjects them to negative judgment. This is particularly relevant in cases where drugs are used to facilitate abuse—situations that often instill deep guilt in victims, leading them to question their own actions. It is crucial to recognize that consent cannot be given when a victim is unconscious. Beyond non-consensual sexual acts, sexual abuse also encompasses unwanted contact with intimate body parts, sexual harassment, and the use of power or manipulation to extract sexual favors. Speaking openly and naming these acts without euphemism is fundamental to helping individuals feel freer and more comfortable discussing and reporting them.
You can listen to the Podcast in Spanish and the interview’s transcript at the Latina Today Podcasts.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Lopez-Garcia and podcast/article by Lorena Mora-Mowry, host of Latina Today Podcasts .
