Black Women and Femmes: Safety, Survival, and the Systemic Harm of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence

In this episode of Unheard Voices: Navigating Health as a Black Woman, we center the lived realities of Black women and femmes navigating domestic and intimate partner violence (DV/IPV)—often while fighting to be believed, protected, and safe.Hosts Robyn Bussey and Dominique Mack reflect on current events and how systemic failures—from policing to public health—compound harm for Black survivors.We hear from Caila Coleman, Esq., who shares her own personal journey with domestic violence and the legal and emotional barriers she encountered. Domestic violence expert Yolanda Richardson joins us to break down the patterns of abuse, the historical silence surrounding Black femmes, and the urgent need for culturally grounded interventions.This episode dives deep into the policy, environmental, and structural inequities that allow violence to thrive—and offers pathways to healing, advocacy, and collective safety.🔎 Topics Covered:The intersection of race, gender, and IPVBarriers to justice and safety for Black survivorsLegal, policy, and environmental contextSurvivor-led resources and community-based solutions💜 Because safety should never be a privilege—it should be a birthright.