NCJ Number
57926
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE HARRIET TUBMAN WOMEN'S SHELTER, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., SERVES AN INTERRACIAL CLIENTELE AND FOCUSES ON THE DOUBLE PROBLEMS OF RACISM AND SEXISM FACED BY MINORITY WOMEN WHO ARE ABUSED BY THEIR SPOUSES.
Abstract
THE SHELTER WAS CONCEIVED AND DEVELOPED BY THE WOMEN'S UNION OF THE MINNEAPOLIS HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. IN ADDITION TO PHYSICAL SHORT TERM SHELTER IN A LARGE OLD HOUSE, THE PROGRAM OFFERS COUNSELING, CHILD CARE, AN ACTIVE INTERVENTION PROGRAM TO HELP THE CHILDREN OF ABUSED WIVES COPE WITH THE SITUATION, AND SOCIAL SERVICES AID. STAFF WORKERS HELP THE BATTERED WOMAN CONTACT THE PROPER CITY AND COUNTY AUTHORITIES TO ENROLL IN JOB-TRAINING PROGRAMS, RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID, AND SECURE OTHER LONG TERM ASSISTANCE FOR HERSELF AND HER CHILDREN. WHILE ALL BATTERED WOMEN EXPERIENCE THE CONSTANT THREAT OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AND A LACK OF ADEQUATE PROTECTION ON THE PART OF THE LAW, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE, WOMEN OF COLOR SUFFER FROM THE COMPLEX PHENOMENON OF RACISM. THE TRANSLATION OF RACIAL OPPRESSION TO BLACK WOMEN WHO ARE BATTERED STEMS FROM THE ASSUMPTION THAT BLACK PEOPLE ARE INHERENTLY MORE VIOLENT. BLACK WOMEN ALSO ARE RELUCTANT TO SEEK HELP FROM A WHITE SOCIAL SYSTEM THEY PERCEIVE AS PART OF THE PROBLEM. FURTHER THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE LOCKED INTO MENIAL, LOWPAYING JOBS WHICH INCREASE THEIR SENSE OF HELPLESSNESS. ANY WOMAN MAY NEED HELP WHEN ESCAPING AN ABUSIVE SITUATION, BUT THE MINORITY WOMAN HAS SPECIAL NEEDS WHICH HELPING PROFESSIONALS MUST BE TRAINED TO MEET. A FACT SHEET AND BUDGET FOR THE HARRIET TUBMAN WOMEN'S SHELTER IS APPENDED. FOR RELATED DOCUMENTS, SEE NCJ 57922-57925 AND NJC 57927-57941. (GLR)