Intersectionality, a concept coined in the 1980’s by Kimberlé Crenshaw, describes the ways in which oppressive institutions are interconnected and cannot be examined separately from one another. In other words, a person who identifies as both a woman and a person of color may experience discrimination differently than someone who identifies as both a man and a person of color. Intersectionality is a lens for seeing the way in which various forms of identity often operate together and integrate together. Click here to watch a 3-minute video, or see below.
Intersectionality in Victim Advocacy
To bring the concept of Intersectionality into the field of victim advocacy, we must examine and identify all facets of a survivor’s identity to address their complex, unique needs and understand how they impact their ability to access services and systems.
SCCADVASA’s Intersectionality Toolkit
Below are the intersectional categories we’ve currently identified to better connect you to tools and resources for providing victim services to various populations and marginalized communities. While it is not all-inclusive, it serves as a starting point to help victim-serving agencies and professionals begin the process of intersectional transformation.
SCCADVASA further recommends that organizations embrace collaboration and partnership to address inequalities around social and racial justice, gender and sexual orientation, different-ableness, immigration, and more.
As the world around us and the needs of the communities we serve are constantly evolving, we ask that you help us identify those who we might be missing. Contact us today to provide suggestions for additional resources or additional communities to connect in this work.
View The Get Information Page to Find Intersectionality Content and FiltersGlossary of Intersectionality Tags
Category Name: Communities of Color
Description: This category highlights specific materials for individuals who are members of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Category Name: COVID
Description: Information, materials, and resources provided to assist service providers and survivors during a global pandemic.
Category Name: Disabilities
Description: Materials to help understand the barriers and challenges people with disabilities face with getting help as well as information to help providers assess and improve services for victims/survivors of IPV who have disabilities.
Category Name: Homeless
Description: Materials providing additional information on the intersections of IPV with homelessness and information to better serve these victims/survivors.
Category Name: Incarcerated Survivors
Description: DMaterials providing additional information on the intersections of IPV with incarceration and information to better serve incarcerated survivors and those who have a history of incarceration.
Category Name: Indigenous & Native
Description: SCCADVASA strives to break down the barriers facing Native and Indigenous survivors of domestic and sexual violence. This category provides materials and resources to help build more culturally specific services for these victims.
Category Name: Older Adults
Description: Domestic and sexual violence impacts individuals of all ages. This category provides information and resources to better meet the needs of older survivors.
Category Names: Immigrant Victims & Language Access
Description: These categories provide resources and information to better serve immigrant victims as well as those who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Category Name: LGBTQIA
Description: Individuals who do not conform to gender norms face higher threats of violence and greater difficulty in accessing services. This category provides resources and information to better serve all survivors of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Category Name: Mental Health
Description: Materials highlighting the intersections of intimate partner violence, mental health and substance use and resources to better serve survivors/victims who experience these intersecting issues and/or trauma.
Category Name: Substance Use
Description: Materials highlighting the intersections of intimate partner violence and substance use and resources for advocates and community partners working to provide trauma-informed training on substance use and abuse in the context of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Category Name: Teens & Young Adults
Description: This category provides resources for teens, educators, parents and all others who interact with individuals ages 12-17 and 18-23. Resources and materials cover areas of healthy relationships, prevention, statistics, and red flags associated with teen dating violence and sexual assault.
Category Name: Children
Description: Oftentimes within instances of intimate partner violence, children can be impacted mentally, emotionally and physically. Materials and resources deal with the direct and indirect impacts of domestic and sexual violence on children.
