Intimate Partner Violence Against Black Women

By Vivian Le, Public Health, 2021

Domestic violence is an issue that has long affected women and men in the United States. However, women are disproportionately the victims in these situations. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has estimated that nearly 1.3 million American women experience domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) each year, and contributes to 85% of being victims of DV/IPV.1 The prevalence of intimate partner violence is the highest for Black women compared to other racial groups. This high rate can be explained by a number of societal reasons that afflict Black women specifically.

“Women Who Look Ahead”

by Monica Stewart

Why Does IPV Disproportionately Affect Black Women?

Statistics show that Black women are almost three times as likely to experience death as a result of DV/IPV than their white counterparts.1 It has been recognized as one of the leading causes of death for Black women ages 15-35.1 Historically, Black women have been painted as less innocent, more independent, more knowledgeable about sex, and in less need of protection.2

As a result of these ingrained societal perceptions about Black women, they are rarely seen as victims in cases of abuse. They are instead seen as deserving of harm or unable to be harmed.2 These beliefs then lead to the high rates of violence against Black women, girls, and non-binary people. Intimate partner violence is known as criminal, but it also impacts public health, as those who experience it are more likely to develop mental health disorders, chronic diseases, and infections.3

Figure 1. Intimate partner homocide on the rise.

Photo courtesy of James Alan Fox.

With that being said, one in three Black Americans who need mental health treatment actually receive it. That is a number that needs to be increased, especially in the case of Black women who are coping with the aftermath of domestic abuse.4 When mental illness is left untreated it can have detrimental effects on both one’s mental and physical health. Not only do chronic mental health issues cause individuals to neglect their health, but the chronic stress that comes with mental illness is often associated with a higher risk of heart attacks, stroke, obesity, and premature death.5 In order to help prevent IPV against Black Women in the U.S., services and support for domestic violence victims — such as employment, housing, and educational services — must be provided.

Issue of Employment and Housing

Black women are less likely to report or seek help when they are victimized, and even end up staying with their abuser because they are heavily dependent on them.1 Black women are one of the most affected groups of employment disparities. When struggling financially to make ends meet, these women are faced with the decision to stay with their abuser or live on the streets due to being either unemployed or having a low-paying job.

Homelessness is a major outcome that Black women might face when dealing with domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Black people may often experience discrimination from a landlord, from a housing program, or from healthcare providers.6 If a woman decides to leave her abuser to escape the torment and stress, she will face more trouble obtaining healthcare and housing services if she identifies as Black or African American due to discrimination.

Services that help domestic abuse victims, especially those who are Black, find jobs would be extremely helpful, as it would allow them to have the means to separate themselves from their abusers and continuous violence. Having a stable job can also give them the opportunity to find their own space, and if not, housing services should be provided for these women, so they no longer need to live with their abusers or live on the streets.

Community Influence and Stigma of IPV

Black women are also less likely to speak up against their abuse due to a strong sense of cultural affinity and loyalty to community and race.1 One of the biggest reasons Black women are reluctant to speak out is the lack of trust between Black people, the police, and the justice system. In most cases, the Black women who face abuse still have affection for their abusers.

For that reason, they shy away from reporting their partner, as they are concerned about their abusers facing job loss or brutality from the criminal justice system.6 They are also scared of the backlash from members of their communities who believe speaking out against violence will make the Black community look bad.

For these reasons, it is important to fund and implement advocacy programs and supportive services for victims of DC/IPV.1 These programs can help reduce the stigma of seeking help when Black women are in trouble. It is especially important to have these programs in low-income areas where domestic abuse against Black Women is most prevalent. This will provide a space to which they can turn when in need.

Intimate partner violence is known as criminal, but it also impacts public health, as those who experience it are more likely to develop mental health disorders, chronic diseases, and infections. ‘‘ ‘‘

Homicide Resulting from IPV

Nearly half of all women who are murdered pass away at the hands of their partners. According to statistics from domestic violence groups, three women are killed every day by romantic partners.8

Abusers with access to guns are five times more likely to kill their victims, and guns further establish the power and control dynamic used by abusers to inflict emotional abuse and exert coercive control over their victims.9 African-American women only make up about 13% of U.S. women, but comprise about half of the female homicide victims—the majority of whom were killed by current or former boyfriends or husbands.7 These homicides most often happen when the victim attempts to leave the abuser who reacts with aggression and violence.

African-American women only make up about 13% of U.S. women, but comprise about half of the female homicide victims.

According to public health researchers, relationships where violence is present and the abuser has access to a gun significantly increases the risk of death for women.9 Gun violence is most prominent in highly populated, urban areas which are predominately made up of racial minorities, mainly Black and Hispanic people. When Black women have partners, who are both abusive and have access to a gun, their risk of injury and death is much greater.

A policy that would help immensely in reducing the homicide of Black women by guns would be reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act that is currently facing a battle in the Senate.8,10 This bill includes a handful of measures that would tighten gun restrictions on individuals accused and convicted of domestic violence, thus making it illegal for individuals who are subject to temporary domestic violence protective orders to own a gun.8

Adapted from Everytown Research & Policy.

Why IPV Against Black Women Needs to be Addressed

If no action is done to help Black women against intimate partner violence, the high rates of deaths caused by it will continue to rise. Implementing these policies will help Black women who suffer from abuse from their partners find a way out from the situations that keep them stuck at the hands of their abusers. They will not only be more open to opportunities that will let them leave, but they will also gain a voice that speaks out against violence.

By speaking out against domestic violence and implementing programs that help advocate for domestic abuse victims, the rates at which Black women suffer from IPV will diminish.

[1] Jones, F. (2014, September 10). Ray Rice: Black Women Struggle more With Domestic Abuse. Retrieved October 21, 2019, from https://time.com/3313343/ray-rice-black-womendomestic-violence/.

[2] Finoh, M., & Sankofa, J. (2019, August 22). The Legal System Has Failed Black Girls, Women, And Non-Binary Survivors of Violence. Retrieved October 21, 2019, from https://www. aclu.org/blog/racial- justice/race-and-criminal-justice/legalsystem-has-failed-black-girls- women-and-non.

[3] Huffington Post. (2016, October 24). Domestic Violence Is a Major Public Health Problem in the U.S. Retrieved October 21, 2019, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/domesticviolence-is-a-widespread- public-health-problem-in-theus_n_580e222ce4b02444efa44378.

[4] DuMonthier, A., & Childers, C., & Milli, J. (2017, June 7). The Status of Black Women in the United States. Retrieved October 21, 2019, from https://iwpr.org/wp-content/ uploads/2017/06/The-Status-of- Black-Women-6.26.17.pdf.

[5] Young, J. L. (2015, December 30). Untreated Mental Illness. Retrieved November 16, 2019, from https://www. psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-your-adult-child- breaks-your-heart/201512/untreated-mental-illness.

[6] Bradley, C. (2019, February 18). Organizations address domestic violence against black women. Retrieved November 16, 2019, from https://www.familyjusticecenter. org/organizations-address-domestic- violence-against-blackwomen/.

[7] O’Hara, M. E. (2017, April 11). Domestic Violence: Nearly Three U.S. Women Killed Every Day by Intimate Partners. Retrieved November 25, 2019, from https://www.nbcnews. com/news/us-news/domestic- violence-nearly-three-u-swomen-killed-every-day-n745166.

[8] Jeltsen, M. (2019, April 11). Domestic Violence Murders Are Suddenly On The Rise. Retrieved November 26, 2019, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/domestic-violence-murders- rising_n_5cae0d92e4b03ab9f24f2e6d.

[9] Everytown. (2019, October 17). Guns and Violence Against Women. Retrieved November 25, 2019, from https:// everytownresearch.org/reports/guns-intimate-partnerviolence/.

[10] Violence against women act. (n.d.). Retrieved April 02, 2021, from https://nnedv.org/content/violence-against-women-act/.