Every Black woman and girl harmed by violence deserves better support and outcomes than the statistics and the report findings reveal. If you have been directly impacted, your voice, like the voices of the women who were interviewed for our report, can shape change. 

We are very clear that these conversations frequently cast Black women and girls as the problem or as victims. We reject these stereotypes. We know you are not defined by these experiences and it is the unjust and racist systems around you that have created a reality where harm is inescapable. In our interviews, we asked women to share a personal description to lift up their personal descriptions on their terms. We invite you to step into your power as you tell your story. 

Here are some framing questions, if helpful, to get started:

• Political Healers Storytelling framework 

• Who are you? (For instance, a mother, a leader, someone people go to for advice, etc) 

• What systems failed or harmed you? How and why were you in a situation to be impacted by violence? 

• What can you share about what happened to you that feels safe and powerful? 

• What would have prevented the harm from happening to you?

• Who most needs to hear this information and change their actions?

• What do you see for your community when no Black women or girls are victims of violence anymore? 

If you’d like to connect your voices to others who share your experience, the list below includes  organizations that are advocating on this issue and can witness, protect and amplify your story.

Minnesota

Brittany’s Place: Brittany's Place is Minnesota's first and largest shelter and program for youth experiencing sex trafficking or at risk for sex trafficking. Services are free and designed to meet the unique needs of youth engaged in or at risk for sex trafficking.   

The Zen Bin: The Zen Bin exists to help communities integrate wellness into daily life in order to live with intention and purpose. They believe in a holistic approach to self care which leads to a healthy mind, body, and spirit.

The Domestic Abuse Project: DAP was founded in 1979 to build communities free from violence by providing holistic healing for every member of the family.

Safe Harbor: Minnesota’s Safe Harbor law provides services and safe housing for people who have been trafficked. Find locations in your area on the website.

Anna Marie’s Alliance (St. Cloud): Anna Marie’s Alliance provides women who are experiencing domestic abuse and their children with a safe place to stay and the resources they need.

National

Black and Missing Foundation: Black and Missing Foundation, Inc (BAMFI) has been established as a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring awareness to missing persons of color; provide vital resources and tools to missing person’s families and friends and to educate the minority community on personal safety.

BEAM- Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective: Includes resources for individuals, including a non-police related hotline, BlackLine for peer support and counseling, and a directory of virtual wellness services for Black folks

Therapy for Black Girls: A resource site based in Atlanta for Black women and girls. Provides lists of Black therapists across the country who do online or in-person appointments. Produces a podcast and blog about mental health and wellness issues.

Crisis Text Line: Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need.

988lifeline.org: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress