Perceptions of domestic violence: a dialogue with African American women

Although empirical research has accumulated over the past 20 years regarding African Americans and domestic violence, many questions remain about African American perceptions of domestic violence. This article explores African American women's perceptions about domestic violence through three focus groups held at a New York social services agency. The findings point to the need to better understand diverse perceptions of domestic violence, to find culturally competent methods of addressing the inaccessibility of domestic violence services, to increase culturally appropriate public education, and to conduct more research on the connection between domestic violence and child welfare in communities of color.