Domestic violence continues to cast a long shadow over American society, particularly within African-American and Caribbean-American communities. The statistics are staggering: Black women are 2.5 times more likely to be murdered by men than their white counterparts, often by someone they know intimately. Caribbean-American women face similar dangers, with the additional barriers posed by cultural stigma and isolation that often accompany immigrant life. Children, too, bear the brunt of this violence—either as direct victims or as silent witnesses—making the scourge of domestic abuse a multi-generational crisis.
Within the African-American and Caribbean-American communities, the epidemic of domestic violence is exacerbated by deep-rooted social, economic, and historical factors. Racism, economic inequality, and lack of access to resources serve to make the problem more insidious. For many women, particularly those living in low-income neighborhoods, leaving an abusive partner can mean plunging themselves and their children into financial instability, housing insecurity, and deeper isolation. For Caribbean-American women, especially recent immigrants, the challenges are even greater due to language barriers, fear of deportation, or unfamiliarity with legal protections.
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Prominent community leaders have spoken out about this crisis. In 2021, Letitia James, New York State’s Attorney General, highlighted the intersection of domestic violence and economic insecurity at a Brooklyn event, stating, “No woman should ever feel trapped in an abusive relationship because of financial dependence. We must provide women with the economic resources and support they need to reclaim their lives.”
Caribbean leaders, too, have begun to address the issue more directly. Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, during her address at the UN Women’s “Generation Equality Forum,” called for a renewed global focus on gender-based violence, emphasizing that “violence against women and girls is a stain on the conscience of our societies.” Her sentiments echo the frustration and pain felt across Caribbean nations and their diasporas in the tri-state area, where too many women suffer in silence.
The Weight of Cultural Silence
Cultural norms and traditions often compound the complexity of addressing domestic violence within African-American and Caribbean-American communities. In many cases, the stigma surrounding domestic abuse prevents women from coming forward. Caribbean culture, in particular, places a high value on family unity and privacy, which can sometimes translate into silence on the issue of domestic violence. Many Caribbean-American women fear being ostracized or bringing shame to their families if they report abuse. Similarly, African-American women have historically had to balance concerns about their personal safety with fears of contributing to negative stereotypes about Black men in America. This leads to a culture of silence, where abuse is often tolerated or dismissed.
As Rev. Al Sharpton once remarked, “For too long, we’ve told our women to keep family business inside the house. But silence is killing our sisters. We need to empower women to speak out, without fear, and ensure our community is there to support them.” His words, while addressing African-American women, resonate deeply within the Caribbean-American context, where the patriarchal structures often intensify the pressure to remain silent.
The role of religion cannot be overlooked either. For many Caribbean-Americans and African-Americans, faith and religious institutions play a central role in their lives. Unfortunately, some religious communities have perpetuated the idea that women should remain in abusive relationships for the sake of keeping the family intact or adhering to notions of obedience and forgiveness. These pressures make it even harder for victims to seek help, let alone leave.
A Way Forward: Breaking the Silence, Building Support
Addressing domestic violence in these communities requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond traditional punitive measures of law enforcement. The first step is breaking the culture of silence. Public awareness campaigns specifically targeting African-American and Caribbean-American women are essential to educate them about their rights and the resources available. These campaigns should be led by trusted community leaders, activists, and survivors who can speak directly to the cultural sensitivities that prevent many women from seeking help.
“We must change the narrative in our communities,” said Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez of New Jersey, a champion for the rights of immigrant women. “Domestic violence is not a family matter, it’s a community crisis. We need to create safe spaces where survivors feel seen, heard, and supported.”
Faith leaders must also be engaged in the conversation. Religious institutions should be places of refuge, not reproach. Clergy members and other religious leaders must be trained to recognize signs of abuse and provide victims with emotional and practical support, including referrals to domestic violence shelters, counseling services, and legal aid. Faith-based communities can serve as powerful advocates for change if they actively work to dismantle harmful ideologies that keep women trapped in dangerous situations.
On a practical level, increasing access to housing and economic resources is crucial. One of the biggest barriers to leaving an abusive relationship is financial dependence. We need more shelters specifically for women of color and immigrant women, where staff understand the cultural and linguistic needs of these populations. Providing affordable housing options, job training, and financial literacy programs for survivors can help women regain their independence and rebuild their lives.
At the policy level, lawmakers need to ensure that protections for domestic violence survivors are robust and accessible to all, regardless of immigration status. Legal reforms must also focus on the intersection of race, immigration, and domestic violence, recognizing that Caribbean-American women, in particular, may be less likely to come forward if they fear deportation or discrimination. We must strengthen community-based organizations that already serve these populations and allocate more funding to provide legal aid and mental health services tailored to their unique needs.
Protecting the Next Generation
Ending the cycle of domestic violence requires protecting and supporting children who are exposed to such environments. Trauma-informed educational programs in schools are essential for identifying children who may be living in abusive households. These programs should provide children with the tools to process their trauma and learn non-violent ways of resolving conflict. Schools, social workers, and pediatricians must work together to ensure that children affected by domestic violence receive the emotional and psychological support they need to break the cycle.
New York City Councilmember Vanessa L. Gibson has stressed the importance of early intervention. “We must start with our children,” she said at a recent forum on family violence. “They are not only witnesses to the violence, they are often its silent victims. If we don’t address the trauma early, we risk perpetuating the cycle into adulthood.”
In addition, we need to engage men and boys in conversations about healthy relationships and consent. Too often, interventions focus solely on women, when the key to prevention lies in teaching young men and boys to reject toxic masculinity and understand the impact of their actions. Mentorship programs, particularly within African-American and Caribbean-American communities, can provide young men with positive role models and offer an alternative to the narratives of power and control that often fuel domestic violence.
The Power of Community
Domestic violence cannot be eradicated by any one institution or community alone—it requires a coordinated effort across sectors. African-American and Caribbean-American women must be at the forefront of this fight, leading conversations, demanding resources, and creating spaces where survivors are heard and believed. But they need the full support of their communities, including men, faith leaders, educators, and policymakers, to ensure that domestic violence is no longer tolerated or ignored.
The path forward is not easy, but by addressing the root causes of domestic violence, expanding access to resources, and engaging communities in the solution, we can begin to dismantle this scourge and create a safer, more equitable future for all.
Resources for Women Experiencing Domestic Violence
For women experiencing domestic violence, help is available. The following organizations provide support in the tri-state area and nationally:
- Safe Horizon (New York City): 1-800-621-HOPE
- New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence: 1-800-572-SAFE
- Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 1-888-774-2900
- Sanctuary for Families (New York): 1-212-349-6009
- The Caribbean Women’s Health Association (Brooklyn, NY): 1-718-826-2942
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
These organizations provide immediate help and long-term support, including shelter, counseling, legal aid, and other essential services. No one should have to face domestic violence alone.
