HISTORY

Matahari Women Workers’ Center (“Matahari”) was founded in 2002 by Carol Gomez and other women of color leaders in order to create community solutions to end and prevent human trafficking, family violence, and sexual and labor exploitation.

Matahari’s initial focus was working with women of color the majority of whom were immigrants whose particular needs were often unmet by traditional violence against women organizations. We managed over 400 cases of women and immigrants suffering a range of human rights violations including labor and sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and domestic violence. Beyond intensive counseling and access to legal, housing and health resources, Matahari created a safe and supportive network that women could continue to turn to during their life-long processes of healing and empowering themselves through individual growth and social action.

In 2009, Matahari shifted focus, recognizing that while support and advocacy was key to survivor healing and empowerment, addressing the root causes of violence against women of color would require a fundamental shift in power relations that could only be realized through grassroots organizing and collective action. As such, Matahari supported the development of groups and networks in response to the needs of immigrant communities who were impacted by displacement due to natural disasters and detention and deportation policies. In 2008, Matahari joined the National Domestic Workers Alliance (“NDWA”) and continues to mobilize on a city, state and national level for domestic workers’ rights. In 2010, Matahari co-founded the Massachusetts Coalition for Domestic Workers (“MCDW”) to organize house cleaners, nannies and adult caregivers in private homes for labor rights and dignity. We are is fiscally sponsored by Resist, Inc.

PUBLICATIONS

• "Disparities in Prevalence, Access to Services and Outcomes for Sexual and Domestic Violence Survivors from Five Underserved Populations: GLBT, Immigrant & Refugees, People Living with Disabilities, Rural, and Elder" Bay, A., Dang, Q., Nguyen Belizario, M., Rogers, C., Hovey, S.; Governor's Council on Domestic and Sexual Violence, 2013.

• "Ending Oppression. Building Solidarity. Creating Community Solutions." De la Cruz, M & Gomez, C; The Revolution Starts at Home, South End Press, 2011

• "Mental Health Guidelines for Working with Human Trafficking Survivors", Saleem, R., Tumala-Narra, U., Gomez, C. et al APA United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, pending publication

• "Revolutionizing the Framework: Integrating Advocacy and Mental Health Care", Gomez C. & Yassen, J. (2005); Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma

• "Sex Trafficking in the United States: International and Domestic Trends", Raymond, J., Hughes, D. & Gomez, C. (2001); National Institute of Justice