What Happens When Black Women Report Abuse and No One Believes Them

The statistics are both alarming and unsettling: Black women are murdered at rates nearly three times higher than their white counterparts. According to a recent report from the Violence Policy Center, the perpetrators are often acquainted with the victims, predominantly being husbands or intimate partners, and commonly use firearms. “Black women, who constitute approximately 14% of the U.S. female demographic, experience the highest homicide victimization rates by males, typically at the hands of someone within their circle,” stated Kristen Rand, the center's government affairs director. In single-offender homicide instances, 733 Black women and girls lost their lives, representing nearly one-third of female victims. The report further highlighted that firearms, particularly handguns, accounted for 75% of these incidents. As Domestic Violence Awareness Month coincides with a government shutdown affecting crucial funding, advocates stress the urgent need for reliable domestic violence support to protect vulnerable individuals. The crisis continues, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive community awareness and effective resource allocation.