Sexual Assault Resource Center

Women of Color

Assumptions about race and culture make women of color vulnerable to sexual assault in a number of ways. Sexual violence committed against women of color can be perceived as insignificant. An example of this is how little we hear of women of color who have been sexually assault. The stereotypes of women of color can often serve to portray them as “unrapeable.” The sexual assault of women of color is the intersection of sexism and racism. Sexual assault has traditionally been used by men to disempower and frighten women, just as racism has been used to disempower and frighten people of color. The sexual assault of women of color, therefore, can be a combination of both racist and sexist attitudes. These attitudes, compounded with certain stereotypes, magnify the sexual vulnerability of various groups of women of color. Some common myths about women of color and sexual assault are listed below.

Myth: Women of color are promiscuous, so if they are sexually assaulted, it is because they were “asking for it.”

Myth: Asian-American women do not get sexually assaulted because they are less likely to be sexually active.

Myth: African-American and Latino cultures are violent; therefore women in these cultures experience the violence of sexual assault as “normal.”

It is imperative that our society recognize that sexual violence affects not only White women, but women of all races, and that a sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. In order to do this, we must challenge both the racist and sexist beliefs that we hold, and that we see in the society around us.

Specific concerns for women of color

  • Institutionalized racism can hinder reporting
  • May have experience racism in the past and distrust institution that is suppose to help (such as hospital, police station)
  • May be treated as less of a priority
  • May face more victim blaming and disbelief
  • More often may report to individuals of a race/culture that is not the same as theirs and concern that you may be less understood
  • Depending on your culture you may be expected to suffer in silence
  • Expectation of seeking spiritual resources as only support
  • Expectation that fit the stereotype of being strong
  • Fear of others knowing your status as a virgin and its impact on your ability to marry
  • Often the perpetrator is of the same race so their may be pressure to keep quiet to decrease the perpetuation of negative stereotypes
  • Many more intercultural and intracultural influences that can prevent reporting or even identifying it as a sexual assault

Latina/Latin American

"Latino/Latina" incorporates many different cultures--from Mexican and Caribbean to Central and South American. There are some shared experiences among them. In Latino culture, it can be seen as more traditional, where women are given restrictive gender roles that require submission to men. In some Latin cultures it is not uncommon that there is a lack of encouragement in educational goals and independence. The expectations of men, on the other hand, are that they should be successful at any cost, including wielding tremendous power over women. As a Latina, you may have learned that men are not expected to take responsibility for their sexual behavior. You may have been taught that this is a woman's role. This makes the assault seem to be your problem, not his.

Because of the obstacles created by this sexual hierarchy, as a Latina survivor you may have a very hard time reporting your sexual assault.

  • Stronger belief that the assault was your fault
  • Belief that you have been "damaged" because you no longer are a virgin (if you had no sexual experience before the assault)
  • The assault will "shame" your family
  • Fearful that your family will affirm those feelings
  • Fear of being blamed and accused by others
  • How assimilated you are and also how assimilated your family is can also affect how you perceive the assault and your ability to report
  • Your fluency and comfort with speaking in English while in crisis can affect your ability to have your needs addressed.
  • You may think you can "fill in the blanks," but the information you require is far too important to leave that to chance.
  • You have the right to ask for a interpreter during interviews with the police, legal proceedings or counseling sessions.

Regents of the University of Michigan
Manavi www.manavi.org/

Manavi is a New Jersey-based women's rights organization for women from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka.

Women of Color Network provides advocacy, resources and leadership in promoting efforts that are supportive and socially constructive http://womenofcolornetwork.org/

Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence
www.apiahf.org/apidvinstitute/default.htm

Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
http://www.atask.org/