Women working in farms say they are facing widespread sexual harassment and assault on the job. Advocates say the problem has persisted for years, often going underreported.
And now, attention on sexual allegations against Cesar Chávez are prompting new conversations about the issue.
One farmworker in Oxnard says sexual harassment is something she experiences frequently. And for a long time, she says, she stayed quiet about it, worried about losing her job.
She is just one example, but advocates say her experience reflects that of many women working in the fields.
The woman, who has worked in California’s farm fields for 16 years, asked not to be identified and is referred to as “Margarita.”
Margarita says this work is how she provides for her family, but it’s also where she’s faced sexual harassment on the job
She says for women in the fields, it may not always be sexual assault, but sexual harassment is something they face every day. Still, she continues to show up because she has to.
Without work, she says, she can’t pay for rent or food. Advocates say her story is far from unique.
“We have supported farm workers who have been raped on the fields, unfortunately, or who continue to experience some type of sexual harassment,” Dr. Martita Martinez-Bravo, executive director of Friends of Field Workers, said.
Martinez-Bravo leads Friends of Field Workers, a non-profit that provides legal and basic support to farmworkers.
She says more women have recently come forward, as sexual abuse allegations linked to Cesar Chávez have sparked new conversation.
“This can bring up a lot of vicarious trauma because many workers have experienced some type of sexual assault or harassment, which is quite prevalent in this community and out in the farms,” Martinez-Bravo said.
But many cases, she says, still go unreported.
Fear of retaliation, and now immigration enforcement concerns, may be making reporting even less likely.
“Unfortunately i think sexual harassment is everywhere. out on the field, historically I think some have almost been to the level of being normalized, but it’s still wrong,” Martinez-Bravo said.
She says her organization is working to expand services.
“I’ve already been in contact with a licensed clinical psychologist to see how we can provide services to families and farm workers,” Martinez-Bravo said.
As for Margarita, speaking out is still difficult, but she says one thing has come from the allegations against Cesar Chavez: the motivation to seek support
“We often feel alone when going through this,” Margarita said. “But just as there are people who don’t believe us, there’s others who do.”
She said she hopes her story will give others the courage to speak out and help break the silence in the fields.
NBC4 reached out to the United Farm Workers union for comment but have not heard back yet.