"There's Some Heauxs in This House": Exploring Societal Perceptions of Black Women Survivors of Violence and the Role of Social Work

Background and Purpose:

Black women in the United States are routinely rendered invisible in public discourse, particularly when they are survivors of violence. Despite overwhelming evidence and personal testimony, such as in the case of rapper Megan Thee Stallion, public reactions often reflect entrenched societal biases rooted in race, gender, and class. These harmful perceptions frequently exclude Black women from narratives of victimhood, contributing to inadequate support and services. This study seeks to explore how societal perceptions of Black women, particularly survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, shape the practices, engagement, and effectiveness of service providers in the social work field. The research further aims to illuminate implicit biases, structural barriers, and cultural assumptions that hinder culturally responsive and trauma-informed care.

Methods:

This qualitative study will involve 8 to 12 semi-structured interviews with staff members at the Center for Urban Families (CFUF), a community-based organization in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants will be recruited through direct outreach. Interviews will explore participants’ experiences working with Black women survivors of violence and their personal ideologies regarding Black womanhood and victimhood. Interviews will be transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using qualitative software such as Transana, guided by grounded theory and inductive qualitative methodologies.

Findings (Anticipated):

Although the study is still in progress, data analysis will aim to identify key themes and recurring narratives that reveal how societal perceptions affect service delivery. Despite the limitations of a small sample, findings will be used to establish a baseline of culturally informed observations and serve as a foundation for future research and potential national replication.

Conclusion and Implications:

This study underscores the urgent need for culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and equity-centered social work education and practice. By interrogating how prevailing perceptions of Black women influence service delivery, the findings will offer recommendations to revise social work training and practice. Ultimately, this research seeks to shift paradigms, disrupt harmful narratives, and foster social work approaches rooted in restorative justice, dignity, and empowerment for Black women survivors of violence.