El Salvador is the most violent peace-time country in the world per capita. While much focus is placed on the country’s powerful and pernicious street gangs, the Central American country reels from a high rate of domestic violence and the highest rate of femicide in the world.

On a recent day in the picturesque hill-town of Suchitoto, survivors gathered for a training on how to counsel fellow women who’ve endured abuse. “This is a country where women are silenced,” says 27-year-old Christina Muria who has been a counselor for the past three years. “Poverty is high and everything seems to be against you…whenever I think about giving up, I just remember when I was 10 and hiding in the closet as my mom was abused. I know I have to keep going.” ?: @laurenontheroad