Multiple women told The Recent York Times that Mexican American civil rights hero Cesar Chavez assaulted them decades ago, including when some were just girls, one as young as 13. A multiyear investigation, published on March 18, 2026, found “extensive evidence” of this abuse through historical records and interviews with over 60 people.
Although yearslong investigations into abuse allegations are rare, silence about abuse is common. As a clinical psychologist who studies interpersonal trauma, I’ve seen how the dynamics of abuse can lead to silence, even over decades.
This research can help answer the question many asked when they heard about the charges against Chavez: Why didn’t the women speak earlier?
Power and trust betrayed
Among the women who disclosed abuse by Chavez, Dolores Huerta described seeing him “as my boss, as my hero, as, you know, somebody that would do the impossible.” Debra Rojas said, “I had love for him … He did his grooming exceptionally well.”
When perpetrators abuse those who trust and depend on them, the betrayal adds to the harm of trauma. Betrayal trauma theory helps explain why.
Victims who depend on the people abusing them face extraordinary pressure to minimize what is happening. Disclosure can mean losing relationships or resources necessary for survival. Perpetrators commonly twist reality to keep victims silent, sometimes instructing them not to tell others or blaming them for the abuse.
For some, betrayal results in dissociation symptoms and memory impairment. Dissociation is a common response to traumatic stress that can include amnesia or feeling disconnected from what is happening.
Betrayal also contributes to more shame and self-blame, as well as more severe psychological and physical health problems. Victims of high-betrayal traumas are less likely to disclose what happened compared to other kinds of traumas.
When survivors do speak up, delayed disclosures can be met with blame or disbelief, even from health providers.
Cultural and institutional betrayal add to harm
Women told The New York Times they stayed silent, in part, “for fear of tarnishing the image of a man who has turn into the face of the Latino civil rights movement.” When abuse occurs within marginalized groups, Dr. Jennifer Gómez describes this as “cultural betrayal trauma,” which brings even greater pressure to stay silent and increased harm.
Institutional betrayal – when institutions like churches, schools, or unions fail to respond appropriately to abuse – can also add to the harm.
Ana Murguia told The New York Times she believed she would be blamed for the abuse. Huerta, who was a co-founder of the United Farm Workers union, told the newspaper she “feared that no one within the union would believe her.”
Connection and courage: Antidotes to betrayal
Healing is possible through connection and care. Research shows people can learn to respond in better ways to disclosures of abuse, such as by offering support and resources. Institutions that act with courage, by making it easy to report abuse and taking steps to prevent it, can also reduce harm to survivors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the women not speak out sooner?
The source explains that victims of abuse, particularly when the perpetrator is someone they depend on, often remain silent due to fear of losing relationships or resources, manipulation by the perpetrator, and potential blame or disbelief if they do disclose.
What is betrayal trauma theory?
Betrayal trauma theory explains that when someone abuses a person who trusts and depends on them, the betrayal adds to the harm of the trauma.
What is cultural betrayal trauma?
Cultural betrayal trauma occurs when people in marginalized groups are abused by someone from the same group, creating additional pressure to stay silent and increased harm.
What role does support play in helping survivors of abuse?
