Racism and sexual violence

We share the grief, pain, and collective outrage over the racist violence that continues to be inflicted upon Black people. We join the calls for justice and accountability in policing. And we know there is more we should all expect from this moment.

Traumatic events tend to be viewed through a lens of injury, grievance, even hopelessness. Over four decades of work, we know there is a different way to look at tragedy: the possibility for healing – to be resilient and to thrive – with the right support.

We have every right to expect – and demand – true, sustained change to come from this moment. It is simply incompatible with our mission to think this is the way things always will be.

For too long, unaddressed personal, interpersonal, institutional and structural racism has provided fertile ground for violence, including sexual violence.

Violence and oppression are intertwined, connected issues that cannot be adequately addressed in silos.

Fact 1: People who have been marginalized due to race, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, age, beliefs, or countries of origin, to name a few, are more likely to be victimized.

Fact 2: That victim is less likely to be believed or have that abuse and natural emotional response to trauma accurately recognized for what it is.

Fact 3: That victim is therefore less likely to experience an appropriate and helpful response to abuse.

There is no area of daily living that is unaffected by the inequities of race and identity in our culture. Disparities in education, pay and working conditions, economic well-being, even health outcomes are evident. We need look no further than the alarmingly high COVID-19 infection and death rates among Black, Latinx and Indigenous people for evidence of lack of equity in our systems.

We continue to partner with our supporters, communities, and colleagues who work alongside KCSARC to address and prevent all forms of violence. We bring humility, honesty, and open hearts and minds to furthering our understanding of the many barriers that remain as we work at the intersections to create real and sustained change at the broadest levels.