Domestic Violence Across Race and Ethnicity: Implications for Social Work Practice and Policy

• NCJ Number: 220360
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 13 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2007 Pages: 1029-1052
• Author(s): Susan F. Grossman; Marta Lundy
• Date Published: October 2007
• Length: 24 pages
• Grant Number(s): 98-VA-GX-0017
• Sponsoring Agency: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

To expand the knowledge base of the practice and policy literature, and thereby the services provided to women of color, this article examines the experiences and service needs of African-American, Hispanic, and Asian-Americans, as well as American Indians who received services from domestic violence programs in a Midwestern State during a 5-year period.

Abstract

The findings of the study suggest that although factors such as the relationship between victims and abusers or the type of abuse experienced do not vary greatly by race and ethnicity, the path into services and the service needs of groups tend to differ somewhat depending on such demographic characteristics. It was suspected that economic status also played a role, although not exclusively. American Indians had the greatest number of service needs, but Hispanic-Americans had the lowest number. The reasons for this discrepancy are unclear indicating the need for further research. Asian-American service users had a large need for shelter and emergency assistance and housing. The data also suggest that special attention be paid to the needs of African-American victims who seek out services to ensure that their need for emotional support and legal assistance not go underserved. Although there are certainly similarities across groups in terms of their needs as battered women, women of color are diverse groups. There are distinctions that are only beginning to be acknowledged within the interpersonal violence literature. Domestic violence occurs across all ethnic and racial groups, profoundly affecting women, who are most frequently the victims. To contribute to the growing literature on race and domestic violence, this study used data derived from domestic violence programs in a large Midwestern State between 1990 and 1995 to focus on the experiences of victims who sought services and examine how they varied by race and ethnicity. Tables and references