The intersection of demographic characteristics widely contributes to the incidence of sexual assault in women. That is, women belonging in racial, gender, and social class minorities experience greater sexual violence. This is exacerbated when these features overlap.
According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black, Brown, or Native women are more likely to experience interpersonal violence like sexual abuse. Cumulatively, the national average for sexual assault victimization showed higher rates in communities of color.
Sexual Violence of Women in Communities of Color
Women in different communities of color experience sexual violence at different rates and under different racial profiling originating in colonial times. Although there are overlapping elements, there are differences that ultimately racialized sexuality to easily subjugate women of color and trivialize sexual violence against them. This, however, does not discount the incidence of SV against women of color in their respective cultures.
According to the University of California Merced, African American/Black women are hypersexualized and falsely identified as willing participants in their own victimization. This notion was perpetuated during colonial times as “a weapon of domination” by slave owners. Even after slavery, oppressors continued on with institutionalized rape to sustain the persecution of Black people.
In the Native American/Alaskan Indian communities, women are said to have “deep-rooted distrust of white agencies and help providers that stems from a history of social and personal oppression.” Because of the long-standing violence against indigenous people brought by colonialism, women of NA/AI communities find seeking help following incidents of sexual abuse a challenge. This, along with the stigma of being a victim; fear of being ostracized by the family and tribe; and jurisdictional complications, constitutes the ultimate obstacle in reporting SV.
“Lusty” and “promiscuous” has been the stereotype for Hispanic/Latin women. This sexual profiling tries to justify the SV perpetrated against them, and is magnified by the bigoted notion that every Latin or Hispanic person in the US is here illegally. Similar to women in NA/AI cultures, Hispanic/Latin women find the stigma associated with victimization and self-blame a large deterrent in seeking help after their abuse.
Asian/Pacific Islander women carry social and economic stressors that increase their likelihood to be abused. Among these are forced marriages, virginity testing, labor and sexual exploitation, and sexual profiling as “exotic” and “submissive”. These misogynistic practices and racist standards enforce the tropes for women that justifies sexual abuse, perpetuates the objectification of women, and ultimately underplays the rape culture that still exists.
In all communities of color, however, gender, social class, and the presence of disability will further aggravate the circumstances. The structural violence against minorities are interlinked and constitute the oppression of all women that transcends boundaries.
Incidence of Sexual Assault in Women of Color
Varied studies and surveys showed the occurrence of sexual abuse among women of color as follows:
- The National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) found that 18.8% of African American/Black women reported rape in their lifetime
- For every 1 African American/Black woman who reports rape, 15 other African American/Black women do not report their abuse;
- According to a community-based study in 2013, 34.1% of Black women in Boston; 65% of Black women in Chicago; and 59% of black female veterans experienced child sexual abuse (CSA).
- The NVAWS reported that 6.8% of Asian/Pacific Islander women reported rape in their lifetime. This number was potentially due to the conservative cultures in Asian societies.
- Among 186 South East Asian Americans, 58% perceived that strangers are most likely the perpetrators of sexual assault; 39% perceived acquaintances or friends; and 4% perceived family members.
- A federal funded study showed that sexual victimization in Latinas was at 17.2%.
- The study showed that 11.4% experienced fondling, 8.9% experienced attempted sexual assault, and 8.8% experienced complete sexual assault.
- The Southern Poverty Law Center reported that 77% of Latinas surveyed reported that sexual harassment in the workplace was a major problem.
- According to the studies gathered by the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, 26.9% of Native women experience, second to multiracial women (33.5%).
- Further, Native women also followed multiracial women (58%) in the incidence of other sexual violence types at 49%.
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) reports that Black women are at risk for increased sexual violence if they don’t have access to safe housing, quality education, or adequate employment. These issues, however, not only leads to the easier victimization of Black women but of all WOC facing the same obstacles. This is cemented with the belief of intersectional feminism that the plight of women must transcend boundaries – race, gender, and social class – to fully liberate all women from oppression and all its forms of abuse including sexual violence.
Defining Sexual Assault
In the State of Illinois, sexual assault is when the perpetrator uses force or threatens to use force against the victim; knows the victim can’t understand the nature of the acts and give knowing consent; or holds a position of trust or authority over the victim (who must be 13 and 18 years old).
Illinois law also stresses the definition of consent which must be a freely given accord. Lack of physical or verbal resistance from force or threat of force doesn’t mean agreement. The law also specifies that the victim’s clothing doesn’t constitute consent and that consent may be withdrawn at any given time.
Sexual conduct is the deliberate touching or fondling of the victim’s genitals, breasts, and anus, directly or through the victim’s clothing. It may also include the transfer of semen from the perpetrator to the victim’s skin or clothing for arousal or sexual gratification.
Obstacles for Victims and Survivors Minorities Seeking Help
While women of color have community-specific barriers in seeking help following incidents of SV, The Oregon Coalition Against Domestic Violence found these common denominators:
- Distrust for law enforcement, justice system, and social workers;
- Cultural and/or religious beliefs tying victims to abusive relationships;
- Strong loyalty to family, culture, and race;
- Lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate services;
- Lack of service-provider representative that look like them or share the same experiences;
- Distrust due to racism and classism in the history of US;
- Racial stereotyping by providers;
- Attitudes and stereotypes on SV and domestic violence in the community; and
- Citizenship of the victim and/or abuser in the country.
Sexual Abuse Resources for Women of Color
Women of color should be made aware that help is available when needed. Here are various organizations specifically for WOC victims and survivors:
- National Indigenous Women Resource Center. A non-profit organization specifically established to address domestic violence and safety of Indian women. They provide leadership, training and technical assistance, research activities and participate in policy development.
- Women of Color Network. A grassroots initiative aimed to capacitate WOC advocates responding to violence against WOC. They engage in national dialogues, network across social justice movements, and provide training for diverse audiences
- Casa de Esperanza / National Latin@ Institute. The National Latin@ Network offers capacitation and consultations to activists and practitioners in the US and Latin America. They host national and regional events, research on issues affecting Latinas here and abroad, and take part in federal and state policy advocacy.
- Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence. The API is a “national resource center on domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence in Asian and Pacific Islander communities.” The institute analyzes issues affecting the Asia and Pacific Islander victims and survivors; offers policy analysis, trainings, and technical assistance; and maintains an information clearinghouse of gender violence among others.
- Trans Women of Color Collective (TWOCC). An organization focused on uplifting the narratives of black trans women. They are “led by the narratives, leadership and voices of community members who exist at the nexus of state sanctioned violence; sex workers, poor people, homeless people and folk experiencing housing insecurity, folks deeply entrenched in complex, seemingly inescapable traumatic environments.”
What to do if You Have Been Sexually Assaulted
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted:
- Go to a safe place.
- Contact someone you trust.
- Contact a rape crisis hotline in Illinois.
- Visit your local Emergency Department for possible injuries.
- Submit to a medical examination to collect evidence (also known as a rape kit).
- Contact the police to report the assault.
A typical treatment will include the following:
- Medical forensic services for injuries;
- Emergency contraceptives;
- Rape crisis counseling.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim or survivor of sexual violence, know that legal help is always available. Our attorneys here at America’s Consumer Lawyer strive hard in winning the legal crusade of the marginalized and holding abusers accountable. You need only reach out.
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