Black Women and Community Violence

Abstract

Abstract The current article examines literature relevant to understanding the impact of community violence on African American women and children, with a focus on witnessing violence and injury, and the loss of close others. Survivors may report psychological distress, increased rates of aggression, diminished physical health, and additional challenges in their parental roles. Despite these challenges, they have developed a variety of coping strategies. Individual and community level interventions, based on the more successful coping mechanisms of violence survivors, are discussed. She is also a member of the steering committee of the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community. Her research interests include children's exposure to community violence, impact of sexual abuse on African American girls, and Black child mental health. Key Words: Community violenceBlacksviolenceurban environmentsaggression