Black Women and Intimate Partner Violence: New Directions for Research

• NCJ Number: 224630
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2004 Pages: 1487-1493
• Author(s): Carolyn M. West
• Date Published: December 2004
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For related articles in this special issue see NCJ-224620-28, and NCJ-224630

Annotation

This article compares racial differences in intimate partner violence between Black and White women.

Abstract

The author notes that African-American women are at elevated risk for nonfatal and lethal intimate partner violence (IPV), and that accordingly, the purpose of the article is to review current knowledge, with a focus on the sociodemographic factors that make this population particularly vulnerable to abuse. In an abbreviated review of existing literature, six previous studies are cited to illustrate the difference in levels of intimate partner violence between Black and White women. In concluding, the author discusses proposed future research directions which include: using more diverse Black samples; considering how living at the intersection of multiple forms of oppression shapes Black women’s experience with violence; exploring the influence of historical events and oppressive images on victimization; and focusing on survivors’ resilience and activism. Table, references