Domestic violence is a multifaceted problem that impacts individuals from all walks of life. However, according to several statistics, Black women are disproportionately affected. According to various sources, including the Detroit Police Department and local domestic violence shelters, a concerning pattern has developed. This pattern was originally noticed during the pandemic, with many women being quarantined with their abusers. According to the Detroit Police Department, there were more than 1,300 reports of domestic violence between March 2020 and March 2021.
As we approach 2024, those numbers have continued to climb, leaving many families and communities broken due to a swarm of violent crimes, including harassment, abuse, stalking, and, regrettably, an alarming increase in homicides. According to Mechelle Donahoo, who serves as the Director of Victim Services at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, she observes that “The abuse has gotten more lethal and more cruel.” Donahoo further noted an unsettling trend of increased fatalities and incidents involving violence directed not only towards adults but also towards children and pets within the same households.
2023: A Concerning Pattern:
In February 2023, a tragic incident unfolded when Maria Martin was discovered dead from a gunshot wound, a victim of a murder-suicide. According to reports, it was Matthew Ethington, Martin’s ex-boyfriend, who took the life of Maria Martin before turning the gun on himself, marking a devastating culmination of events following their recent breakup. Sources also indicate that there were evident domestic issues between the two individuals. This heartbreaking event left two children behind, including a 1-year-old child who was present at the time of the incident.
In May 2023, Jamere Miller concealed his identity by wearing a wig, hat, and glasses as he lurked in the parking lot of Detroit Receiving Hospital. He patiently waited for Patrice Wilson to finish her shift. Once she entered her car, Miller surreptitiously entered the vehicle from the back passenger side and then proceeded to shoot her. Wilson was found dead the next day.
In July 2023, 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith was abducted by her mother’s ex-boyfriend, Rashad Trice. Trice stabbed Wynter’s 22-year-old mother before abducting the child. During the ensuing investigation, Trice proved uncooperative with law enforcement, but crucial information emerged from his cellphone, tracing his movements from the initial attack in Lansing to his eventual apprehension in St. Clair Shores. A dedicated team of FBI agents and Detroit police officers worked tirelessly for 4 to 5 hours on an extensive search grid, eventually discovering the lifeless body of young Wynter in an alley.
These are just some of the more high-profile cases. Domestic violence affects the Black community at significantly elevated levels, with statistics revealing that 45.1% of Black women encounter incidents of intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking over the course of their lives, according to a report by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Unique Obstacles Experienced by Black Women:
It is essential to understand the specific challenges faced by Black women and children in Detroit and address the factors contributing to this alarming trend. A comprehensive approach to combating domestic violence should include community awareness, legislative action, and enhanced support systems.
Socioeconomic Disparities:
One of the underlying causes of the disproportionate impact of domestic violence on Black women in Detroit is the presence of socioeconomic disparities. Black women are more likely to face financial and employment challenges, making it difficult for them to escape abusive relationships. Limited access to resources and financial independence can leave them feeling trapped in abusive situations.
Historical Trauma:
Historical trauma, including the legacy of systemic racism, has had a lasting impact on the Black community in Detroit. The trauma of slavery, segregation, and ongoing discrimination has left emotional scars that may contribute to cycles of abuse within families. It is crucial to acknowledge and address this historical context to break the cycle of violence.
Lack of Access to Support Services:
For Black women and children in Detroit, access to support services is often limited. Shelters, legal assistance, and counseling services may be underfunded or lacking, leaving victims with few options for help. This lack of access to vital resources exacerbates the difficulties faced by survivors of domestic violence.
Cultural Stigmas:
Cultural stigmas within the Black community can also contribute to the underreporting of domestic violence cases. Fear of judgment, distrust of authorities, and concerns about preserving family unity can deter individuals from seeking help or reporting abusive situations.
MiVida Burrus, Senior Director of Development at Avalon Healing Center, highlights a notable increase in domestic violence incidents involving Black women in recent years, with isolation emerging as a significant contributing factor. In abusive situations, “every detail is carefully orchestrated and manipulatively controlled, to the extent that even preparing the wrong meal can lead to issues.” Consequently, this heightened manipulation has led to a surge in fatalities, especially when considering the constant proximity due to lockdowns during an already precarious and volatile environment. This increase in domestic violence incidents has also been reflected in the rise in resource calls to organizations like Haven.
Burrus also emphasizes “social challenges” as a fundamental issue that significantly impacts Black women in these circumstances.
“The impact for Black women, and particularly low-income women, is we don’t call right away because we know what that may do to a Black male. So, we will sit in a situation just a tad bit longer, and then again, it goes back to, well, why didn’t you leave or why? Why didn’t you call earlier? Well, because who are you going to believe when you get here? Because we’re both Black. So that has been kind of the scope in the scenario when we’re a little bit trepidatious about calling. But the violence is real; the violence has always been real,” Burrus continued, “It is a societal issue, and it’s not just a problem for Black people, or white people, or Asians, it is a societal problem in the way that we handle our relationships and conversations with one another.”
Zeek Williams, the Founder and President of New Era Detroit, a grassroots organization committed to safeguarding and supporting the community, says, “In this field of work, we get an overwhelming amount of calls in regards to domestic violence. Just in general and looking at the numbers and looking at how domestic violence is increasing as of late is just appalling. Story after story. The story is getting old.”
New Era Detroit’s dedication to community welfare, coupled with its acknowledgment of the pressing concerns regarding domestic violence, serves as a call to action. It is a reminder that the stories of those affected by domestic violence should not grow old and forgotten but rather serve as a catalyst for change, education, and support for those who need it most.
Addressing domestic violence requires a multifaceted approach involving not only organizations like New Era Detroit but also community members, law enforcement, and policymakers. Support systems, resources, and education are crucial in combating this issue effectively.
Williams urges for improved police response and heightened accountability from law enforcement to intervene more effectively and prevent tragic consequences.
“The establishment needs to do more regarding these PPOs (person protection orders). How can we receive so many daily calls from women living in fear for their lives due to an ex or a man stalking them? Just yesterday, we received a call when a man threw a brick through a window of her house while her 6-year-old child was at home in her room,” he said.
The rise in domestic violence rates in Detroit, particularly affecting Black women and children, is a crisis that requires urgent attention and concerted efforts from all segments of society. It is incumbent upon local and state governments, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and individuals to work together to create a safer, more supportive environment for survivors. Only through comprehensive action can we hope to break the cycle of domestic violence and ensure a brighter, safer future for all residents of Detroit.
If you or someone you are aware of is experiencing domestic violence, please consider reaching out for support:
Detroit Police Victim’s Assistance Program, available 24/7 at 313-833-1660, can provide assistance.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline, which offers confidential support 24/7, can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
You can also contact the Center for Urban Studies at Wayne State University at 313-577-1428 for additional assistance and resources.
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