Disclosure Patterns of Black Female Sexual Assault Survivors

Drawing from interviews conducted with 12 Black women who experienced various forms of sexual violence, this study looks specifically at disclosure patterns of Black female sexual assault survivors. In particular, it examines how survivors' awareness of their social location as Black women influences the likelihood of their reporting sexual victimization to family members, friends, criminal justice personnel, and/or helping professionals. The purpose of the study is to add to the knowledge base regarding the impact of sexual violence on Black women's lives and to increase understanding of the factors influencing Black women's decisions to disclose or not to disclose their victimization as well as the consequences of those decisions.