As a survivor, she may be the exception.

Between 2000 and 2002, more than a third of the 53 Utahns killed during domestic altercations were Latinos. The number is disproportionate for an ethnic group that accounted for just 8.2 percent of the statewide population, according to a report released Thursday by the Utah Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee.

"When it comes to Hispanic women . . . they're smart, but they're not educated in domestic violence," said Jensen, 51, whose ex-husband was convicted of felony spousal abuse in California after beating and stalking her. "They don't know where to go and they're lacking the funds to get out."

While the committee says domestic violence homicide rate for white, non-Latinos in Utah was 24.4 per 1 million adults, the rate for Latinos was more than four times higher: 113.5 per 1 million adults.

Some 64.9 Latinos per 1 million adults were convicted in domestic violence killings - three times higher than the rate for whites at 22.9 per 1 million adults.

Jensen said Latinas, especially those who do not speak English, struggle to get help from the time they pick up the phone and dial 911 to the time they appear in court before a judge.

"Once the police officer doesn't understand [Spanish], the woman isn't going to call back a second time," Jensen said.

Poor access to services and fear of deportation may also explain the high numbers, said Gabriella Archuleta, diversity coordinator for the Utah Domestic Violence Council. Immigrant women in particular may be isolated from their family and friends abroad and not know where to turn for help.

"Many would rather stay in an abusive relationship than separate from their children or be taken out of the country," she said.

Archuleta pointed out that a large population of migrant workers come to Utah for only a few months each year to work which may also inflate the domestic violence homicide numbers.

It is a mistake, she said, to assume that domestic violence is something that happens only to Latinos, or that it is somehow an integral part of the culture.

"Hispanic and Latino victims are disproportionately affected," she said. "Unfortunately this can be interpreted with damaging consequences."

In its report, the committee made several recommendations based on its findings, including making culture-specific educational materials widely available and strengthening existing public education campaigns that focus on aiding victims of domestic violence.

One-third of all homicides during the time period analyzed were domestic-violence related deaths. Of those, about 64 percent of the victims, most of them women, were killed by an intimate partner.

"Domestic violence is the fastest growing and most serious crime in Utah," said Ned Searle, domestic violence state coordinator, at a news conference Thursday at the Utah Department of Health. "Many individuals do not recognize it as a serious health problem."

The committee also found:

l Children saw the slayings in 24.5 percent of the cases. None were referred to the Division of Child and Family Services for support.

l Victims were killed in their own homes 83.7 percent of the time. Afterward, 25.5 percent of the suspects committed suicide.

l The majority of the homicides, 68 percent, occurred in Salt Lake County.

lrosetta@sltrib.com