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Domestic Violence and the African American Community
Domestic and intimate partner violence (DV/IPV) is a “family secret” in our Black communities.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an estimated 1.3 million American women experience DV/ IPV each year. Women make up 85% of victims of DV/IPV, Despite this most cases are never reported to police and most women are victimized by people they know.
And for Black women, it’s an even bigger problem: Black women are almost three times as likely to experience death as a result of DV/ IPV then White women. And while Black women only make up 8% of the population, 22% of homicides that result from DV/ IPV happen to Black Women and 29% of all victimized women, making it one of the leading causes of death for Black women ages 15 to 35. Statistically, we experience sexual assault and DV/ IPV at disproportionate rates and have the highest rates of intra-racial violence against us than any other group. We are also less likely to report or seek help when we are victimized.
African American Framework
Domestic violence affects all Americans, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. However, this threat has disproportionately dire consequences for African-American families. African-American women experience intimate partner violence at rates 35% higher than their white counterparts and 2.5 times the rate of men and other races (Idvaac.org). They also account for a disproportionate number of intimate partner homicides. Although the majority of African Americans in the U.S. worship as Christians and rely on churches for social service help, research also says that “the rate of abuse in religious homes is exactly the same as in the general population.” (Catherine Clark Kroeger, co-founder of Peace and Safety in the Christian Home (PASCH)”, (Martin, 2007, p. 25)
Domestic violence is not a martial or relationship problem, it is a crime. National Statistics (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – ncadv.org)
– On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.1
– 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.
– Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some for of domestic violence annually.
– On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.
– Women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner.
– 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to the violence.
– Statistics show that Black women typically comprise about 70% of black congregations. Religious convictions and a fear of shame or rejection from the church may contribute to their remaining in abusive relationships.
– Because of historical and present-day racism. Black women may be less likely to report her abuser or seek help because of discrimination, Black men’s vulnerability to police brutality and negative stereotyping.
Nevada Statistics Regarding Domestic Violence
– Nevada consistently ranks 1st in the nation for domestic violence fatalities and 2nd worst for domestic violence overall.
– 95% of Nevada calls to domestic violence hotlines involve emotional or verbal abuse including threats, insults, humiliation, and isolation.
– Females ages 30-44 in Nevada are most likely to be the victims of domestic violence and nationally 95% of domestic violence victims are women.
– Law enforcement is likely to be involved in 36% of all domestic violence calls in Nevada.
– Repeat offenders account for more than 75% of all domestic violence incidents in Nevada.
– In Clark County, the average for women affected by domestic violence is 1 out of 3 women.
2018 Victims of Domestic Violence in Las Vegas
– February 3rd – Christina Wheeler Vivas, 39, (mother of 6 children) was shot and killed by her husband, while 4 children were in the home.
– August 18th – Claudia Cordero-Garcia, 20, was shot and killed by her 25-year old boyfriend, two days after Cordero-Garcia told her family she intended to leave her boyfriend. Her boyfriend turned the gun on himself.
GOOGLE: Safety Plan
If you are in crisis, contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or www.TheHotline.org.
CHR Website – https://www.chrinc.net
CHR Facebook – fb.me/CHRINCNV
#SurvivorSpeaks