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5 - Black Women and Trauma

from Part I - Black Women in Context

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 June 2023

Donna Baptiste
Affiliation:
Northwestern University, Illinois
Adia Gooden
Affiliation:
Unconditionally Worthy, Co.
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Summary

Given their intersecting, historically oppressed identities, Black women are more likely to be exposed to traumatic experiences than other racial groups. In this chapter we review the historical, systemic and institutional, and individual trauma that impacts the mental health of Black women. We provide a framework for treating trauma with Black women that is based on intersectionality and Black feminist theory. Further, we share the key components of providing trauma-informed care and best practices clinicians can use when supporting Black women in healing from trauma.

Type
Chapter
Information
Promoting Black Women's Mental Health
What Practitioners Should Know and Do
, pp. 106 - 130
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

Hotlines and Websites

Me too. (n.d.). https://metoomvmt.org/. Founded by Tarana Burke.Google Scholar
Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network. (n.d.). https://www.rainn.org/. National hotline, resources for survivors, family members, and providers, statistics, and other resources.Google Scholar
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The National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault (SCESA). (n.d.). https://sisterslead.org/. An advocacy organization of Women of Color dedicated to working with our communities to create a just society in which all Women of Color are able to live healthy lives free of violence.Google Scholar
Self-Compassion. (n.d.). https://self-compassion.org/. Self-compassion meditations, scripts, and other resources.Google Scholar

Books

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Films

Simmons, A. S. (Director). (2006). No! The rape documentary [Film]. AfroLez Productions. https://notherapedocumentary.org/home. NO! The Rape Documentary is the 2006-released Ford Foundation-funded, groundbreaking, film about intraracial rape, accountability, and healing in Black communities. Produced, written, and directed over a period of 12 years, by child sexual abuse and adult rape survivor Aishah Shahidah Simmons, this internationally acclaimed, award-winning film also explores how rape is used as a weapon of homophobia.Google Scholar

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