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Awareness
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Research shows domestic violence and abuse are emerging as the “most common form of violence worldwide - contributing substantially to the global burden of mental health problems.” Included amongst the definitions of adversity on the ACES questionnaire, we know these traumatic experiences can negatively impact immediate and long-term health and well-being.
And while it is true that incidents of domestic violence occur across all genders, ages, races, sexual and cultural identities, there is indisputable research proving rates of domestic violence are up to 50% higher in historically marginalized communities. A study done by the Women of Color Network shows, people of color, people in poverty, those with poor educations, limited job resources, and language barriers have difficulty finding support services. Research done by RAINN states, one of the main barriers facing LGBTQ individuals is fear of disclosing their orientation or identity resulting in discrimination or denial of services. We need to recognize that systems of oppression - racism, sexism, homophobia, and others - strongly influence the experiences of domestic abuse victims - and we need to do something about it.
Cultural humility is the key. By forgoing assumptions and acknowledging our limitation to fully understand another culture without lived experience, we open ourselves up to listening and learning what support victims really need. Without it, we continue to place the individuals most vulnerable to domestic abuse at increased risk.
The connection between oppression and domestic violence is impacting our whole community. Providing culturally relevant, respectful, inclusive supports opens doors of access, improves service delivery, and achieves greater levels of prevention, intervention, and healing.
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