Oppression Within Safe Spaces: Exploring Racial Microaggressions Within Domestic Violence Shelters
Abstract
Racial microaggressions are often unintentional and subtle forms of racism that manifest in interpersonal communications, behaviors, or environments. The purpose of this study was to explore the presence of racial microaggressions within domestic violence shelters and to understand how women respond to them. Using a phenomenological approach to data collection and analysis, 14 Black women from 3 different shelters were interviewed. Twelve women reported experiencing at least one racial microaggression, although few identified the experience as racist. Additional themes were also examined to understand why women did not identify their experiences of racial microaggressions as racist. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
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Nnawulezi, N., Macy, R., Wretman, C., Radtke, S., Clark, D. A., & Sullivan, C. M. (2025) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1007/s10896-025-00989-9 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Nnawulezi, N. A., & Sullivan, C. M.
- Affiliations
- Michigan State University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Black Psychology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2013-08-07
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 563-591
- ISSN
- 0095-7984 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-4558
- OpenAlex
- W2155636458
- Cited by
- 69
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 5
- FWCI
- 5.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Black Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Counseling Practices and Supervision
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Keywords
- racial microaggressions, women's shelters, Black women, racism, safe spaces, intimate partner violence
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