While violence against many ethnic and racial groups has declined nationwide, violence against Black women has skyrocketed. In the City of Los Angeles, Black women comprise 4.3% of the population, yet account for 25%-35% of all female violence victims. According to the City Civil and Human Rights and Equity department, from 2011-2022, Black women accounted for one-third (32.85%) of female homicides and nearly a quarter (22%) of all female rape victims. From 2021-2022, Black women were nearly one-third (28.2%) of all missing women. In addition, Black women are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by an intimate partner than are white women, with gun violence being the leading form of homicide.
In response to the City of L.A.’s lack of accountability to Black women, Black girls and Black gender expansive communities, the #Standing4BlackGirls coalition is calling for increased funding and support for prevention, mental health, and youth leadership initiatives for Black women and girls across sexuality. In City Council District 8 (CD8)—which has one of the highest populations of Black residents in L.A. County—there are virtually no accessible youth centers that offer targeted wraparound programming for Black girls, women, LGBTQ+ and gender expansive youth. To date, CD8 has more vacant, boarded-up buildings, and empty lots than it does youth-serving facilities.
On Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., the coalition will gather for a press conference in front of City Council District 8’s constituent center at 8475 Vermont Avenue, L.A. 90044. Members of the community are invited to attend.
Press conference info: https://bit.ly/3MVncgw
