Supporting Survivors of Color
Communities of color are disproportionately affected by sexual violence, yet are underserved in services and assistance provided to survivors.
PREVALENCE RATES
Prevalence rates of rape of women by race in the United States:
- Asian/Pacific Islander: 6.8%
- Hispanic/Latina: 11.9%
- White:17.7%
- Black: 18.8%
- American Indian/Alaska Native: 34.1%
- Mixed Race: 24.4%
Additional statistics and facts can be found on the End Rape on Campus webpage.
RESOURCES
Historically, rape and sexual abuse have been used to dominate different cultures, races, and groups of people. Today, rape is still used as a tool of social control, physical domination, and power. Experiencing campus sexual assault creates additional obstacles for many survivors of color such as difficulties in accessing culturally competent resources and support.
Sexual violence against women of color is often dismissed or ignored. One of the most prevailing issues with sexual assault in communities of color is the absence of adequate resources to cope with and prevent the sexual assault of young women of color.
The trauma that comes with any sexual misconduct is combined and compounded for women of color by the effects of sexism and racism. The challenges they face can heighten depressive and PTSD symptoms. It is important to recognize the challenges of women of color that are survivors of rape and sexual assault and center efforts to support victims and survivors of color.
National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault
Coalition of women of color providing technical assistance and training to people of color organizations, doing policy advocacy, and spreading community awareness and education.
Organization of women, gender non conforming, and transgender people against violence. It’s a national endeavor with chapters all over the country organizing conferences, events, and engages in media justice.
National membership organization improving institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities.
National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women
A resource database for materials related to gender-based violence and related issues.
Provides an expert legal voice to seek justice for women in law and government policy
Legal Momentum Rights Overview (Chinese)
Legal Momentum Rights Overview (Spanish)
Legal Momentum Rights Overview (English)
African American Women
Civil and human rights organization engaged in progressive research, historical documentation, support movement building and organize on social justice issues steeped in the struggles of Black women within their communities and within dominant culture.
Black Women’s Health Imperative
National organization dedicated to improving the health and wellness of US Black women and girls – physically, emotionally and financially. Invest in strategies, partners and organizations that help Black women’s wellness.
Institute of Domestic Violence in the African American Community
Network of over 2000 radical lawyers, law students, and legal workers of color committed to building the power of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Black Women’s Rape Action Project
Provides support, legal information, and advocacy for women and girls, including asylum seekers, who have suffered sexual, domestic and/or racist violence.
released in 2006, it features first person testimonies, scholarship, spirituality, activism, and cultural work of Black people in the United States.
Womanist blog on Black women, socio-politics and culture.
Ramp Your Voice promotes education, empowerment, inclusion, and self-advocacy for people with disabilities in the United States and abroad. The site hosts written pieces that covers disability rights through an intersectional lens with topics such as disability, sexuality, white supremacy, and education. Offers workshops, consultation, and opportunities to engage in daily activism through social media campaigns.
Native American Women
National Indigenous Women’s Center
Supports grassroots efforts, provides national leadership for indigenous women, develops educational and programmatic materials, provides direct technical assistance, builds the capacity of Indigenous communities, and supports tribal sovereignty.
Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
Provides policy advocacy, community programming, and educational outreach.
Organization that connects First Nation women to resources and services regarding sexual and domestic violence.
Native Alliance Against Violence
Provides culturally appropriate technical assistance, training and support to eliminate domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence to restore balance and safety for Native communities.
Provide assistance with program development, proposal review, culturally- based violence prevention and intervention practices, and models of advocacy specific to tribal communities
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Provides training, technical assistance, legislative and legal advocacy, pro bono attorney connections and resource materials to victim services agencies and other stakeholders.
American Indian and Alaska Native Violence Against Women (Full Report) by the US Department of Justice
Provides an overview of the epidemiology of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women as well as an accounting of the criminal justice responses to this violence.
Violence Against Women Act: Title IX Safety for Indian Women: VAWA 2013 included a historic provision recognizing tribes’ inherent power to exercise “special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction” (SDVCJ) over certain defendants, regardless of their Indian or non-Indian status, who commit acts of domestic violence or dating violence or violate certain protection orders in Indian country.
Maze of Injustice (Full Report) by Amnesty International
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
Office of Justice – American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs
they examined the scope and impact of violence facing American Indian and Alaska Native children and submitted its final report and policy recommendations on ways to address it.
Latinx Survivors
Latina Alliance Against Sexual Aggression/Alianza Latina en Contra la Agresión Sexual
Promotes healing and empowerment through the arts, professional training, and community education
Mujeres Latinas en Acción/ Latinas and Sexual Assault
This article focuses on Chicago area Latinas in a national context and addresses their experiences with sexual violence as well as the quality of local programs and gaps in services for sexual assault survivors.
National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence
Advocacy organization that offers training and technical assistance to innovative programs and strategic funding.
Asian/ Pacific Islander Women
Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence
National resource center for gender-based violence against Asians, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Offers analysis to critical issues, provide technical assistance and training, conduct research, and inform public policy.
An organization dedicated specifically to South Asian women affected by violence. Offers culturally specific and linguistically accessible services to survivors of violence.
National Organization of Asian and Pacific Islanders Ending Sexual Violence
Provides technical assistance and support to local/community-based programs and governmental organizations in enhancing their services to victims of sexual violence from the Asian and Pacific Islander communities nationally and in the U.S. territories
Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence
Builds grassroots community power across diverse poor and working class Asian immigrant and refugee communities in New York City.
South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency
Provides several programs for domestic abuse survivors, youth, and older adults.
National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum
Organizes programs related to immigrant rights, reproductive justice, and economic justice.
LGBTQ Survivors of Color
Genders & Sexalities Alliance Network
A LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities.
Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement
Advocates for, educates, and LGBTQ, Latinx, and Gender Nonconforming communities.
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance
Seeks to build the organizational capacity of local LGBT AAPI groups, develop leadership, promote visibility, educate our community, enhance grassroots organizing, expand collaborations, and challenge homophobia and racism.
Trans People of Color Coalition (Facebook, Twitter)
Promotes the interests of trans people of color by building community and organizing events.
Womanist blog on Black women, socio-politics and culture.
National Black Justice Coalition
Civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black LGBTQ people, including people living with HIV/AIDS, focused on federal public policy.
Participates and organizes activist movements and campaign for social justice
Resource network that promotes bisexual visibility and inclusivity.
Trans Women of Color Collective
Grassroots funded global initiative created to offer opportunities for trans people of color.
Provides programs that provide all female to male transmen and SLGBTQI individuals education & outreach in: Identity, Culture, Religion, Family, Health, Wealth, Careers, Education, Business, Legal, Community and Youth Services.
Provides vital peer-support, community connections and resource information to LGBTQIA folks. Facilitates various hotlines.
Survivor-led organization that provides various support services, training, and educational resources. Services available in English and Spanish. Hotline: 617.742.4911.
Conducts advocacy work, provides resources, support, classes, workshops, for survivors, and offers technical assistance and training.
Transgender-focused organization federally funded to provide training and technical assistance to providers around the country who work with transgender survivors of sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking.
Network of over 2000 radical lawyers, law students, and legal workers of color committed to building the power of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Organization of Black 18-35 year olds, focused on transformative leadership development, direct action organizing, advocacy and education using a Black feminist lens.
Men of Color
An online resource and networking guide for male survivors and allies. Offers international guides and resources in Spanish.
Provides resources and educational information about sexual violence against males. Offers healing resources and links survivors to find online support and mental health professional services.
Organization aimed to support male survivors of sexual violence and abuse as well as family members, partners, and friends of survivors. Offers online peer support group, 24/7 online support line, resources and trainings for professionals and organizations.
A project and awareness initiative created by 1 in 6 that portray the reality and hope of male survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Offers 24/7 confidential online support line.
Sources:
https://www.endrapeoncampus.org/
https://www.apa.org/pi/about/newsletter/2020/02/black-women-sexual-assault