Survivors of Color

Sexual assault, rape and dating violence happen to women, men, andchildren of all ages, races, classes, sexual/gender orientations,religions and educational levels.  While all survivors ofsexual and relationship violence experience a similar range ofreactions (see Common Reactions to Sexual Violations and CommonReactions to Relationship Violence for more information), malesurvivors, survivors of color, and lesbian, gay, bisexual andtransgendered survivors are also likely struggling with theadditional burdens of stereotypes, racism, homophobia and otheroppressions, often leaving them feeling even more isolated,confused, ashamed, frightened, and less likely to seeksupport.  The following provides additional suggestions foroffering support to survivors of color.

• Know your community resources.  Here on campus we have theMary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture (684-3814) and theMulticultural Center (684-6756).  Staff at DCRC, CAPS and SASSare trained to work with survivors of color.  Assess your ownvalues, beliefs and biases.  There are other support resourcesif you feel like your “stuff” is affecting your ability to be aneffective helper.
• One of the common myths related to sexual and relationshipviolence is that men of color, particularly black men, are morelikely to be perpetrators, and that they are more likely tovictimize white women.  This is untrue.  Perpetrators ofsexual and relationship violence can be found in any racial orethnic group.  And most sexual assaults and rapes occurbetween two people of the same race or ethnicbackground. 
  
• Survivors of color may feel the added pressure of choosingbetween allegience to their race/ethnicity or their gender. Given the long history of racism, which has fostered the myths andstereotypes described aboce, and  the often unjust ways thatpeople of color have been treated in the justice system, manysurvivors of color are reluctant to report a man of color to eitherthe university or the police for fear of being perceived as a "racetraitor."
  
• Oftentimes communities of color are small and the victim may beafraid of what might be shared through the grapevine, or may fearlosing the support of this community.
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered survivors of color faceadditional challenges common to LGBTQ survivors (click here for more information).