Whom We Serve
Students of Color
At Montana State University Billings, we are a predominantly white institution (PWI) which comes with its own set of challenges for communities of color. Unfortunately, students of color may have faced racism in the past, and this may cause them to distrust the institutions that are designed to help survivors. At hospitals or police stations, people of color may be treated with less respect or less priority than white people, and may face even more victim blaming and disbelief than white people do at the same institutions.
The impact of sexual violence on different communities can be understood by looking at challenges unique to each community. However, there are common factors that account for many of the barriers survivors of color face as they seek help.
- Cultural and/or religious beliefs that restrain the survivor from leaving the abusive relationship or involving outsiders.
- Strong loyalty binds to race, culture and family.
- Distrust of law enforcement, criminal justice system, and social services.
- Lack of service providers that look like the survivor or share common experiences.
- Lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
- Lack of trust based on history of racism and classism in the United States.
- Fear that their experience will reflect on or confirm the stereotypes placed on their ethnicity.
- Assumptions of providers based on ethnicity.
- Attitudes and stereotypes about the prevalence of domestic violence and sexual assault in communities of color.
- Legal status in the U.S. of the survivor and/or the batterer.
The MSUB Phoenix Center recognizes the different challenges that students of color
may experience. We strive to offer confidential, free, inclusive care, advocacy and
support during your time of healing.
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