Empty Assistance

The usage of intersectional analysis helps illustrate core issues in understanding the phenomenon of domestic violence. Intersectional analysis exposes the “empty” gestures of help from shelters to the public and brings awareness to the public audiences of what must and needs to be done to fix the structural system that is intended to help victims of domestic violence. Issues of domestic violence commonly are surrounded around women whom are mentally/physically harmed by their male companion. Intersectional analysis shows that the issue of domestic violence goes beyond the extent of the battered and batterer, but it is important to recognize that domestic violence is not limited to only male battering their female companion. One issue that is rarely recognize in regards of domestic violence that needs to be address that intersectional analysis points out, men may also be the victim and women in turn are the batterer. Furthermore, in my opinion the major concern that must be address is the limitation of assistance for victims of color. Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color by Kimberle Chenshaw illustrates the issue of the heartless consideration for domestic violence victims of color. The article gave a true heart-breaking story about a Latina woman along with her young child who went to seek help at a woman’s shelter; an attempt to leave her violent husband whom threatens her life, but sadly was turned away by the shelter leaving her exposed to more violence. She was left frightened to roam the street with her child by her side; she made several attempts to seek help but was left helpless and mugged in the emotionless night twice! After heavily pressure from outside sources and a long agonizing wait the misfortunate mother and child finally have a light of hope, the shelter finally made an exception to accept them, but they are now nowhere to be found. The reason why the shelter at first and firmly would not accept the mother and child was because the victim spoke limited English. There were no translator available and the shelter wouldn’t allow her son to help translate. There was no consideration for this woman/mother/victim safety, the shelter rejected solely on the basis on her inability to communicate in English. It was extremely shocking to hear that woman’s shelter are selective when deciding who they assist, and denied to help because of a language barrier. I believe we do not hear more examples of such infraction because the view of domestic violence is narrowly viewed and there are no consideration given to people of color who are exposed such hardship. The example given in Chenshaw article demonstrates why we are not more informed because these women like the Latina mother and child, they just disappear. The first thing that I would recommend to help improve domestic violence services is to reanalyze the structural standard that is used to accept women in the shelter. There are many issues that need to be address, such as the language barrier preventing communication and reevaluating the differences of domestic violence among different discourse communities. Reassessing the standards and differences among people of color will help bring awareness of the need for change that must be done in regards of domestic violence services to better serve the public, but more awareness is only one step of many that needs to be taken to help improve the service.

-564 W