| Description |
Intimate partner violence (IPV) and domestic violence are criminal and health crises in the United States that need to be treated and taken seriously. Although men can be victims of IPV, women constitute most victims. IPV is nothing new. However, what is new is that our societal ideas have shifted, and we no longer view this as acceptable practice or as a private matter. The truth is that IPV affects not only the individuals directly involved, but our entire society as it induces long-term personal, social, and economic consequences. Importantly, women who come from ethnic/racial minority backgrounds and are victims of IPV often must deal with factors that lower the likelihood of them seeking formal help, in this case, from law enforcement. Thus, this work will focus on analyzing five factors that limit the contact victims of IPV belonging to communities of color have with the police. The five factors include (1) cultural competence from the police, (2) racial discrimination and police brutality, (3) damaging racial and gendered stereotypes, (4) the language barrier, and (5) immigration status. Recommendations for improvement will be given to increase the ability of law enforcement to properly assist victims of IPV from minority communities. It is crucial that as a society we develop effective tactics to deal with the issue, prevent it, and help victims of IPV. |
