Table 2.

Latent and Manifest Themes Regarding IPV Help-Seeking

Latent Themes	Manifest Themes	Messages	Example Quotes
You are not alone	Contact a professional resource	Contact a professional resource either local or national resources, via text, chat, email, or phone call. Resources are free, anonymous, and bilingual. Victims, perpetrators, and others who know about an IPV situation can call. They can help with providing information and resources and with creating a plan.	A staff member from a local domestic violence agency in Chicago stated: “Depending on the situation and the case, we can refer them to the resources they need and give them information. The services are completely free and we are not asking for any of their specific information. Everything is confidential.” (“Dependiendo de la situación y el caso podemos referirlos a los recursos que necesitan y darles la información. Los servicios son completamente gratuitos y no estamos pidiendo ninguna información específica de ellos. Todo es completamente confidencial.”)
	Contact family, friends, and members of your community	Contact family, friends, and members of your community, including nearby businesses and neighbors. Keep them informed about your situation and ask for their help.	The chief of police from Houston stated: “Report the domestic violence. Go to a business, to a house, to a friend’s place.” (“Reporte la violencia doméstica. Vaya a un negocio, vaya a una casa, vaya al lugar de un amigo.”)
	Services are available despite the pandemic	The courts are still open for IPV cases. Already established restriction orders are still valid and people are able to obtain new ones. Counseling and shelters are still available. Many services are available via email or phone.	A reporter located in Miami stated: “The courts have put in motion some special measures. Some courts, for example, have decided to extend the protection orders. Other judges are even doing virtual hearings using video cameras to see urgent cases.” (“Los tribunales han puesto en marcha algunas medidas especiales. Algunos tribunales, por ejemplo, han decidido extender las órdenes de restricción y de protección. Otros jueces están incluso recurriendo a audiencias virtuales utilizando videocámaras para atender casos de urgencias.”)
You are in danger and in need of protection	Contact law enforcement	It is essential to report the violence to law enforcement. Contact law enforcement, including the courts, police, and 911. Call if you feel you are at risk or unsure of what to do. Others who know about an IPV situation can also report it.	A local police officer from Houston stated: “But the first thing [is that] they have to call Houston’s police department to report what is happening.” (“Pero lo primero [es que] ellos tienen que llamar al departamento de la policía de Houston para reportar lo que está pasando.”)
	Leave the situation	Leave the situation when the physical violence is strong and when you feel overwhelmed.	A local expert from Dallas-Fort Worth stated: “When there is a type of domestic violence that it is too strong, it is better to leave, to seek help, because there can be fatal consequences.” (“Cuando haya un tipo de violencia física muy fuerte, es mejor irse, buscar ayuda, porque pueden haber consecuencias fatales.”)
	Protect yourself at home	Protect yourself physically at home. Avoid confrontation and being in enclosed spaces in the house. Have spaces at home that are safe.	A local expert from Houston stated: “Find a way of not enclosing yourself in rooms where there are weapons. For example, if there is an argument or altercation, do not hide in a bathroom or kitchen where obviously there can be more weapons.” (“Encuentre maneras de no encerrarse en cuartos donde haya armas. Por ejemplo, si hay una discusión o una altercación, no se esconda en un baño o en una cocina donde obviamente puede haber más armas.”)
It is your responsibility to change your circumstances	Create a safety plan	Create a safety plan: 1. Locate the exits of your home 2. Do not be in a room where guns are present 3. Have a bag ready in a hidden place (with important documents, clothes, cash, basic items) 4. Talk to your neighbors and family 5. Create a code word with family members 6. Identify safe places to go for help and food 7. Save or memorize phone numbers of shelters 8. Engage in self-care.	An expert in the national website stated: “The first thing [is] to create a safety plan. For example, take measures in case the abuser can take control of the phone or of communications. Then, stay in contact with a family member. To have code words that can be used when calling someone that can come help us at home if necessary.” (“Lo primero [es] crear un plan de seguridad. Por ejemplo, tomar medidas por si el abusador puede tomar control del teléfono, de las comunicaciones. Luego, mantener contacto con la familia. Tener palabras claves que se puedan utilizar a la hora de llamar a alguien que pueda venir a auxiliarnos a casa en caso de ser necesario.”)
	Don’t’ be afraid, be strong	Report your situation. This is the first step to freedom. It doesn’t matter if you are undocumented. You are strong and cannot be silent. Keep your hope and strength. Be brave. Don’t feel stuck.	An anonymous survivor of IPV from Philadelphia said: “A woman is strong inside and do not stay silent.” (“La mujer es fuerte por dentro y no se queden calladas.”)