Domestic violence and sexual assault can happen to anyone of any gender, race, sexual orientation, class, age, or ability. However, each individual’s experience with trauma varies, and it is important to acknowledge all of the factors that may affect survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Intersectionality explains the way that individual characteristics like race, gender, class, age, or sexuality can overlap with one another to create systems of oppression.
- Partnership and Collaboration
- Anti-Oppression, Equity, and Inclusion
- Curiosity, Empathy, and Compassion
- Trust, Respect, and Integrity.
In our core values, we acknowledge that systems of oppression enable violence. It is vital for us to consider that:
- American Indian and Alaska Native women experience some of the highest rates of violence in the nation. 84.3% of Native American women have experienced psychological aggression, sexual and physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner (National Institute of Justice, StrongHearts)
- LGBTQ+ women experience higher rates of intimate partner violence. 43.8% of lesbian women and 61.1% of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in comparison to 35% of heterosexual women (National Coalition on Domestic Violence)
- LGBTQ+ men experience higher rates of intimate partner violence. 26% of gay men and 37.3% of bisexual men have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in comparison to 29% of heterosexual men (National Coalition on Domestic Violence)
- Transgender people are more likely to be physically or verbally abused in public. Approximately 30%-50% of transgender people have experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their lifetime (National Coalition on Domestic Violence, No More)
- Racial inequalities have led to disproportionately high rates of domestic violence in Black communities. 45.1% of Black women and 40.1% of Black men have experienced physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
- Abuse in later life is possible due to increasing social isolation. In nearly 60% of elder abuse cases, the perpetrator is a family member (National Council on Aging)
- Immigrants may face extra obstacles in fleeing domestic violence. It is common for abusers to use their partners’ immigration status as a tool of control. Immigrants may fear seeking help or safety due to their limited access to social supports and fear of law enforcement (Futures Without Violence)
- Wealth disparities increase rates of domestic violence. Domestic violence occurs at every socioeconomic class, but the working class and lower middle-socioeconomic class can have the highest prevalence rates of domestic violence (Nagasar et al.)
- People with disabilities are at greater risk of experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault. 39% of women who have been raped had a disability at the time of the incident, and 29% of men who have experienced sexual violence had a disability at the time of the incident (Center for Disease Control)
There is no such thing as comparative trauma. However, we acknowledge that survivors’ intersecting identities will affect how they respond to trauma, and how they are supported within their communities.
We serve survivors of ALL backgrounds. This includes, but is not limited to Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), low-income, LGBTQ2+, Deaf and hard of hearing, people with disabilities, documented and undocumented immigrants, and those with limited English proficiency.
If you are experiencing domestic violence or want to help someone who is, you can reach out to the DVIS 24-Hour Information & Crisis Line at (918).743.5763 or (918)-7HELP.ME