Violence
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
Violence Against Women — Too many women suffer violence at the hands of someone close to them. This web page provides abused women and their loved ones with resources and information they can use to get help. It also gives information about different types of abuse, including domestic violence, sexual abuse and assault, dating violence, and elder abuse. Look for help near you with this list of state anti-violence programs. http://www.womenshealth.gov/violence/
State Sexual Assault Coalitions — This publication contains a list of addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers of coalitions across the country who help with domestic violence. http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/statesexual.htm
Understanding Intimate Partner Violence — This fact sheet provides 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
Understanding Sexual Violence — This fact sheet discusses the prevalence and incidence of sexual violence, the associated risk factors, and consequences. It also provides some strategies for trying to prevent sexual violence. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/images/SV%20Factsheet.pdf
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 phone numbers to call for help. http://www.acog.org/from_home/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=17&bulletin=198
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
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. It also provides statistics on domestic violence. http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/2006/articles.php?id=35
Sexual Violence Awareness Fact Sheet — African American Women (Copyright © VADV) — This brochure discusses stereotypes, racism, and barriers surrounding sexual violence against African American women. It also provides a list of resources. http://www.vadv.org/secPublications/svfsaa.pdf
Organizations
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Office of Minority Health, OPHS, OS, HHS
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Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice
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Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community
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National Center for Victims of Crime
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National Domestic Violence Hotline
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Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
= Indicates Federal Resources
Current as of December 2007 |