African American Women Disproportionately At Risk For Death by Domestic Violence
Provided by HG.org
Domestic violence can happen anywhere and is not bound by race, religion, or socio-economic status. But, recent studies show that African American women are at three times the risk of experiencing a lethal domestic violence event than any other racial groups in America. Indeed, domestic violence murders are among the leading causes of death of black women ages 15 to 35.
Domestic violence killings became a high-profile issue in North Texas when, in August 2012, authorities say, 32-year-old Deanna Cook’s ex-husband killed her in her home as she called 911 for help. Records show he had a history of abuse. Last month, police say, Erbie Bowser shot and killed four people, including his ex-girlfriend and estranged wife, and wounded four others in a horrific domestic violence spree. Bowser also had a history of domestic abuse. In 2012, Dallas police recorded 12 intimate partner murders, and six of the victims were black women. Overall, the department recorded 13,324 family violence offenses — 7,366 involving African-Americans.
According to studies, while prior domestic violence is the top risk factor in determining future attacks, unemployment is “by far the most important demographic” in putting someone at risk to be killed by an intimate partner. The latest national unemployment rate for blacks is 13%, more than double the 6.4% for whites. For black men, that figure is 13.5%, compared with 6.2% for white males.
Interestingly, unemployed white males were as statistically likely to kill their partners as unemployed black men, but because the black unemployment rate is higher, there is a correspondingly higher rate of domestic violence deaths. Experts believe that this ties to the American sense that having a job equates to the quality of one's masculinity. If a man lacks employment, the lack the prestige of that job and, if they lack control over anything else, they will try to assert it over their partner.
The experts also say other causes are at play that also factor into the deaths of black women at the hands of their partners. These issues go back decades and are steeped in traditions and habits that are difficult to break. For example, domestic violence researchers say black women often remain in volatile relationships longer than abused women of other races. Experts speculate that this may be a discomfort with elements of the system set up to help domestic violence victims, or possibly resistance by family members and religious leaders. As a result, black women who are abuse victims, instead of reporting the assaults or leaving, often choose to fight back physically. The experts say this is a cultural standard that is often applauded and admired by those close to the women. But they also note that willingness to retaliate against violence with more violence can lead to even more intense abuse from an angry spouse or partner.
Again, this goes to the American definition of what it is to be a man. Most American men would feel emasculated by getting beaten up by a woman, and thus they will respond to a woman fighting back with even greater levels of violence. Of course, these American gender roles also have an adverse effect on the female partner's view of the relationship, in that, by responding with violence, she may feel empowered and not even realize that she is in an abusive relationship.
However, the statistics are not entirely bleak. Overall, domestic violence cases, including those involving blacks, have dropped dramatically for more than a decade. This trend is expected to continue as domestic violence laws are improved and applied more equitably and as the economy improves and unemployment declines. Also, the experts stress that although studies prove black women are at much greater risk to become victims of intimate partner violence, the vast majority are not abused. And, they add, black men are not naturally inclined to abuse their partners.
The Violence Policy Center in Washington, D.C., in its 2012 report of 2010 domestic violence statistics for black women, found that 94% of black women killed by by men in single victim/single offender incidents knew their killers. Additionally, nearly 15 times as many black women were murdered by a man they knew than were killed by a stranger. 64% of black victims who knew their attackers were wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the killer. Finally, the number of black women shot and killed by their husband or intimate partner was nearly five times as high as the total number murdered by strangers using all weapons combined.
If you notice that your partner gets extremely angry at the slightest provocation and blames you for everything, seeks to control every aspect of your life, hits, slaps, punches, kicks or strangles you, threatens to harm you or your children, or threatens to commit suicide if you end the relationship, you may be in a violent relationship. If you are in fear of any of these situations, you should contact local authorities and seek assistance from domestic violence programs. Additionally, you may wish to contact an attorney to assist you with services like restraining orders, a divorce, child custody issues, and civil claims for any injuries you may have suffered.
Copyright HG.org - Google+
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
According to studies, while prior domestic violence is the top risk factor in determining future attacks, unemployment is “by far the most important demographic” in putting someone at risk to be killed by an intimate partner. The latest national unemployment rate for blacks is 13%, more than double the 6.4% for whites. For black men, that figure is 13.5%, compared with 6.2% for white males.
Interestingly, unemployed white males were as statistically likely to kill their partners as unemployed black men, but because the black unemployment rate is higher, there is a correspondingly higher rate of domestic violence deaths. Experts believe that this ties to the American sense that having a job equates to the quality of one's masculinity. If a man lacks employment, the lack the prestige of that job and, if they lack control over anything else, they will try to assert it over their partner.
The experts also say other causes are at play that also factor into the deaths of black women at the hands of their partners. These issues go back decades and are steeped in traditions and habits that are difficult to break. For example, domestic violence researchers say black women often remain in volatile relationships longer than abused women of other races. Experts speculate that this may be a discomfort with elements of the system set up to help domestic violence victims, or possibly resistance by family members and religious leaders. As a result, black women who are abuse victims, instead of reporting the assaults or leaving, often choose to fight back physically. The experts say this is a cultural standard that is often applauded and admired by those close to the women. But they also note that willingness to retaliate against violence with more violence can lead to even more intense abuse from an angry spouse or partner.
Again, this goes to the American definition of what it is to be a man. Most American men would feel emasculated by getting beaten up by a woman, and thus they will respond to a woman fighting back with even greater levels of violence. Of course, these American gender roles also have an adverse effect on the female partner's view of the relationship, in that, by responding with violence, she may feel empowered and not even realize that she is in an abusive relationship.
However, the statistics are not entirely bleak. Overall, domestic violence cases, including those involving blacks, have dropped dramatically for more than a decade. This trend is expected to continue as domestic violence laws are improved and applied more equitably and as the economy improves and unemployment declines. Also, the experts stress that although studies prove black women are at much greater risk to become victims of intimate partner violence, the vast majority are not abused. And, they add, black men are not naturally inclined to abuse their partners.
The Violence Policy Center in Washington, D.C., in its 2012 report of 2010 domestic violence statistics for black women, found that 94% of black women killed by by men in single victim/single offender incidents knew their killers. Additionally, nearly 15 times as many black women were murdered by a man they knew than were killed by a stranger. 64% of black victims who knew their attackers were wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the killer. Finally, the number of black women shot and killed by their husband or intimate partner was nearly five times as high as the total number murdered by strangers using all weapons combined.
If you notice that your partner gets extremely angry at the slightest provocation and blames you for everything, seeks to control every aspect of your life, hits, slaps, punches, kicks or strangles you, threatens to harm you or your children, or threatens to commit suicide if you end the relationship, you may be in a violent relationship. If you are in fear of any of these situations, you should contact local authorities and seek assistance from domestic violence programs. Additionally, you may wish to contact an attorney to assist you with services like restraining orders, a divorce, child custody issues, and civil claims for any injuries you may have suffered.
Copyright HG.org - Google+
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
