Post-Sexual Assault Decision Making: Centering Black Women’s Experiences

Abstract

Existing research has identified various reasons most sexual assault victims do not seek help. There remains a need, however, to highlight Black women’s experiences to better understand and adequately meet their needs when they seek help. This project extends existing bodies of knowledge by centering Black women, situating their experiences within a Black feminist framework, and evaluating their experiences as they seek help to understand factors that shape their reporting decisions. Findings suggest that as Black women seek medical help, they consider culture-specific and real rape factors during the police reporting decision. Key findings, implications, and policy recommendations are discussed.

Peer-Led Groups in Sexual Assault Prevention Programming: Myth Adherence and Self-Defense Efficacy within Gender and Race

“…The present study expands these results and provides useful information about Black men and women, which can help to inform future prevention efforts. Black women experience multiple layers of “gendered racism” (Zounlome et al 2019:876), including sexualized and racist stereotypes, historically a lack of protection and recourse, and resulting silencing and hesitation when seeking support and/or reporting (Kelley 2023). It may be that, due to these experiences with marginalization, Black women more clearly identify bias inherent in SA myths.…”

“…When the blame is placed on the survivor, this allows perpetrators to retain social and legal standing after SA (Hayes, Lorenz, and Bell 2013). In fact, recent research (Kelley 2023; Slatton and Richard 2020; Tillman et al 2010) discusses a potential barrier to disclosure among Black women is the internalized dilemma of reporting Black perpetrators, due to historical and present-day societal inequities of Black men interacting with the CJ system. When SA perpetration is phrased as a betrayal of trust for the survivor and the community at large, Tillman et al (2010) suggest that survivors are shown support, and effective peer pressure against SA may help to inhibit further incidents.…”

“…Thus, Kessel (2022) argues that Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (RMAS) must be considered in an intersectional way, with attention to multiple power structures within society. Kelley (2023) highlights the rape myth of the hypothetical Black male rapist who preys upon white women, tying the emergence of this belief with economic and political gains during reconstruction to continue to subjugate Black people for labor. Carmody and Washington (2001) found no substantial difference in RMA between research participants based on race, but this has been understudied in the literature in the two decades since their work.…”

“…Moreover, SA and IPV may be experienced on top of racism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression (Slatton and Richard 2020). For an overview of these impacts for Black women, see the study by Kelley (2023). Thus, programming that is provided by multiculturally competent providers, focused on empowerment, and points to supportive services is essential (Pegram and Abbey 2019).…”

Framed as (Un)Victims of Sexual Violence: An Intersectional Model

“…Despite higher rates, Black women may be less likely to report sexual victimization than other women (Spencer et al, 2017;Zounlome et al, 2019). Because of entrenched, systematic intersectional power imbalances in society (Collins & Bilge, 2016), Black women have historically been seen as "asking for it" (Littleton & Dodd, 2016), always ready for and wanting sex, thereby legitimizing their sexual assaults (Kelley, 2023). Further, the enduring consequences of sexual assault for the health and well-being of victims is especially acute for Black women (Givens et al, 2022).…”