Dolores Huerta speaks with Latino USA’s Maria Hinojosa about César Chávez's abuse

Trigger Warning: This story contains mentions of sexual assault

Civil Rights leader Dolores Huerta spoke to Latino USA host Maria Hinojosa about being raped by United Farmworkers co-founder César Chávez.  

Hinojosa posted a video on social media yesterday stating that Huerta asked to speak to her first after the New York Times investigative story about allegations against Chávez.

Huerta came forward after the Times contacted her about other allegations from two other women who were minors as young as 12 when Chávez sexually abused them, according to their accounts. 

The story notes that when Huerta found out about the girls, she broke down in tears.

“To learn that he had assaulted young girls, I mean, it’s so devastating,” Huerta said to Hinojosa. “It’s still very hard to process.” 

Chávez raped Huerta twice, once in 1960 and then in 1966, according to Huerta. She said both rapes resulted in pregnancies. Huerta said family members raised the children. 

Huerta, who is 95, said it would have hurt the movement to speak out against Chávez. 

“I’m getting support and love from everyone,” Huerta said after Hinojosa asked how she is doing. “It’s hard for me, as it is for everyone else. It’s a hard time.” 

Huerta said that she hopes more protection can occur for women, girls and boys after these revelations. 

“Women and girls… and boys, they need to be protected and we gotta attack this illness,” Huerta said. 

Latino USA reports on Latino stories in audio format and is hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hinojosa.