Naucalpan's young women break the silence on lifelong domestic violence

They were children when the abuse began, but only years later did they recognize it as violence. Now, Naucalpan's survivors are fighting back with truth—and support.

, and Administrator

2026 March 9 . 7:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows a black and white photo of a group of women in school uniforms, with a wall in the... — The image shows a black and white photo of a group of women in school uniforms, with a wall in the background. At the bottom of the image, there is text that reads "1918-1918 school girls".

Naucalpan's young women break the silence on lifelong domestic violence

Young women in Naucalpan, Mexico, frequently face domestic violence from an early age. Many endure abuse at home, in schools, or on the streets before even realizing it is wrong. Their stories reveal a pattern of normalized harm that often goes unreported.

Keny Zavala first noticed signs of domestic violence in her home by age 7. She only recognized it as abnormal at 25. Johana Morales, meanwhile, dealt with street harassment and digital abuse starting at 15. Both also faced domestic violence tied to rigid family roles.

At 10, Karen suffered abuse from a teacher, which silenced her in class for years. Marisela Giles was sexually assaulted by her father at 8 but did not understand it as violence until she turned 14. When she finally spoke out, her mother offered no support, leaving her isolated.

Since 2019, authorities in Naucalpan and the wider State of Mexico have publicly acknowledged the scale of domestic violence against women aged 20 to 27. Official alerts from the Women's Institute (ISMujeres) highlighted persistent femicides and disappearances. In response, the 2021 Naucalpan Domestic Violence Alert was declared, expanding shelters and offering psychosocial help via the 911 emergency line.

By 2023, over 1,500 police officers had received training on gender perspectives. The 2022 Mujeres Seguras programme also distributed panic buttons and legal aid to more than 5,000 victims.

The measures introduced aim to tackle a cycle of domestic violence that often begins in childhood. Shelters, emergency support, and legal tools now provide more options for survivors. Yet many young women still struggle to name their experiences as abuse or find the help they need.