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Jill Atwood ReportingAs the Latino Community grows in population here in Utah, so does its public safety and health issues. Today, a first in Salt Lake City, a conference targeted specifically towards that minority group and its growing needs.
Today a whole host of representatives from state agencies and non-profit organizations came together to really just educate themselves so they can educate others.
In speaking with just a few afterwards KSL found that many feel the Latino community is really underserved in the very big areas of health care and public safety, and a lot of it is that this particular group may not be aware of services that are available.
We happened to walk in on a presentation by the Utah Attorney General's Office on Internet pornography and predators. Tracey Tabet says just because maybe some of these underprivileged children don't have computers, they may still have access through school or community centers.
Another big presentation today was put on by Liz Robles of the Utah Domestic Violence Council. She says battered women who come from another country legally or not struggle to find help at times or may not even look for it.
Luz Robles, Utah Domestic Violence Council: "They don’t know, those options were not there back home so they are coming with relationships and domestic violence to this country. We want to make sure they know there’re options here and their rights and the laws that protect them."
The Latino Community hopes this conference will just be the start of a lot of dialogue in dealing with people of different cultures. Organizers say it's all about listening and really throwing out the stereotypical thinking.
