Violence and Minority Women
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Violence against women affects all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds. It is a
leading cause of injury for American women between the ages of 15 and 54, but it can
happen at any age. Acts of violence have terrible and costly results for everyone
involved, including families, communities, and society. Violence can take several forms
including domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual assault and abuse, dating
violence, and elder abuse.
Intimate partner violence, or domestic violence, is
when one person purposely causes either physical or psychological harm to another,
including physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, sexual assault, isolation, or
economic abuse.
Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity you do
not agree to, including inappropriate touching, vaginal penetration, sexual intercourse,
rape, attempted rape, and child molestation. Sexual assault and abuse can also be verbal,
visual, or any other form which forces a person to participate in unwanted sexual contact
or attention.
Dating violence is when one person purposely causes
physical or psychological harm to another person they are dating, including sexual
assault, physical abuse, and psychological/emotional abuse.
Elder abuse is when older persons are abused,
neglected, and exploited by family members and others.
The National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
sponsored the National Violence Against Women Survey. The report had the following
conclusions:
American Indian/Alaska Native women were more likely than White women or
African American women to report they were raped or stalked.
American Indian/Alaska Natives are at a greater risk of being victims of
violence than other Americans.
Only a small number of Asian American women report rape and stalking. It
has been suggested that traditional Asian values may discourage Asian women from reporting
violence, especially by intimate partners.
Hispanic women are less likely to report being raped.
If you're a victim of 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 800-799-SAFE (7233) or
800-787-3224 (TTY).
For more information on violence in women, go to NWHIC's Violence Against Women section.
Last updated: August 2003 |
