Violence

If you're a victim of abuse or violence at the hands of someone you know or love, or you are recovering from an assault by a stranger, you are not alone. To get immediate help and support call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. You can also visit the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.

Minority Women's Health > African Americans > Health Topics > Violence

Violence affects women from all backgrounds. Violence can have terrible and costly results for everyone involved, including families, communities, and society. Violence can take many forms including domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual assault and abuse, dating violence, and elder abuse. Learn more about the different types of violence in our Violence Against Women section.

According to the National Violence Against Women survey, almost one out of every three African American females has been subject to intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence includes rape, physical assault, or stalking.

If you have been hurt by someone, keep in mind, it is not your fault. You did not cause the abuse to occur, and you are not responsible for the violent behavior of someone else.

If you’re in an abusive relationship, be careful when using the Internet. Your computer use can be tracked so protect your privacy. By cleaning the cache and history and erasing the cookies on your computer, others are not able to go onto your computer and check up on what you have been doing. However, if you have any reason to suspect that someone may be tracking your computer usage, they may grow suspicious if all records of internet activity disappear. For more information and directions on protecting your privacy, visit www.rainn.org/about/user-safety-procedures.html

Publications

1.   Violence Against Women - The Violence Against Women web page provides abused women and their loved ones with resources and information they can use to get help. This web page contains links to publications about violence, domestic violence, sexual abuse and assault, dating violence, elder abuse, legislation, and violence resources in each state.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/violence/

2.   Sexual Violence Fact Sheet - This fact sheet discusses the prevalence and incidence of sexual violence, the associated risk factors, and consequences. It also provides some strategies in trying to prevent sexual violence.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/svfacts.htm

3.   State Sexual Assault Coalitions - This publication contains a list of addresses, phone numbers, and faxes of coalitions across the country who help with domestic violence.

   http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/saresources.htm

4.     Understanding Intimate Partner Violence - This fact sheet contains statistical information on the number of women who are victims of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), characteristics of the most common victims and perpetrators of IPV, and the effects it can have on a person and society as a whole.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/ipv_factsheet.pdf

5. Are you Being Abused? (Copyright © ACOG) - This simple true-false quiz helps victims and those who care about them identify the signs of abuse. It encourages victims to seek assistance and gives helpful phone numbers to call.

   http://www.acog.org/from_home/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=17&bulletin=198

6. Domestic Violence: Protecting Yourself and Your Children (Copyright © AAFP) - This fact sheet provides information on how to protect yourself and your children from domestic violence, where to go to get help, and other facts you should know about domestic violence.

   http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/safety/kids-family/052.html

7. Domestic Violence: When Love Becomes Hurtful! (Copyright © BWH) - This fact sheet explains the epidemic of domestic violence in the United States and highlights the role that violence plays in the lives of African Americans. Information is provided on what to do if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence.

   http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/2006/articles.php?id=35

8. Emotional Abuse (Copyright © TWC) - This article provides an overview of emotional abuse and gives examples of signs that you or someone you know may be a victim of domestic violence through emotional abuse.

   http://www.thewomenscenter.org/content.asp?contentid=220

9. Reaching African Americans (Copyright © FVPF) - The web site provides information on domestic violence statistics and African American women in the United States. It also offers links to public service announcements for the End Abuse campaign targeted for African American women.

   http://www.endabuse.org/programs/display.php3?DocID=9904

10.   Sexual Violence Awareness Fact Sheet- African American Women (Copyright © VADV) - This brochure discusses stereotypes, racism, and barriers surrounding sexual violence against African American women.

    http://www.vadv.org/secPublications/svfsaa.pdf

Organizations

1.   Office of Minority Health, OPHS, OS, HHS
2.   Office on Violence Against Women, OJP, DOJ
3. Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community
4. National Center for Victims of Crime
5. National Domestic Violence Hotline
6. Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of December 2007