Date of Award
Summer 2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Director of Thesis
Dr. Orgul Ozturk
First Reader
Mrs. Monique Garvin
Abstract
Domestic violence is the intentional act of someone exerting control to harm another person. Domestic violence can impact individuals of all genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds. However, domestic violence has a disproportionate impact on Black women over their white counterparts. By analyzing raw SLED data, as well as peer-reviewed articles and personal interviews, this paper will explore whether the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) helped Black women, or if it failed to protect them. The hypothesis is that VAWA did not address the unique needs that Black women faced in domestic violence. Due to the myriad of circumstances that Black women face (poverty, lack of access to education, discrimination), providing funding that supports systems in place is not enough to adequately address the needs that Black women - many of whom are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault - have.
Finally, this paper will look to the future, analyzing the current data and predicting what is needed for the future to protect Black women and all victims.
First Page
1
Last Page
25
Recommended Citation
Adams, Antonia D., "Black and Battered: The Impact of the Violence Against Women Act on Women of Color" (2023). Senior Theses. 657.
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/657
Rights
© 2023, Antonia D Adams
Black and Battered Documentary Link