Black History Month
2026
To mark Black History Month, we’re reflecting on the history of Black feminism and how it can help us understand what meaningful, inclusive support should look like for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Racism and sexism don’t happen separately
Black women can experience racism and sexism at the same time. These experiences can overlap, shaping how women experience inequality, discrimination and violence.
Violence against women and girls does not affect everyone in the same way. Race, class, immigration status, disability and other circumstances can influence both a survivor’s experience of abuse and the barriers they may face when seeking safety and support.
Black feminist thinkers have long challenged us to recognise how different forms of inequality can overlap. This is known as intersectionality. Understanding intersectionality helps us recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all experience of violence.
Who gets believed?
Systems of power can influence who is believed, who is listened to and who gets access to support.
Racism and sexism can shape how women’s experiences of violence are understood and responded to. Black women have historically challenged the idea that their experiences are less credible, less important or less deserving of attention.
Black feminist movements have asked us to look critically at whose voices are heard and whose experiences are overlooked. When we talk about violence against women and girls, we need to ask:
Who gets believed?
Who gets listened to?
Who gets protected?
Whose experiences are missing?
Representation matters. Black women’s voices and experiences must be part of conversations about ending violence.
What does meaningful support look like?
There is no one-size-fits-all experience of domestic abuse.
A survivor’s identity, circumstances and experiences can shape both the abuse they experience and the barriers they may face when seeking safety and support.
Meaningful support needs to recognise the whole person, not just the violence they have experienced. This is why by and for services matter.
Services rooted in the lived experiences of particular communities can understand the specific barriers, cultural contexts and needs that may affect survivors seeking support.
Every survivor deserves support that recognises their whole experience. Black feminist thinking isn’t just history. It continues to shape how we understand power, inequality and violence today.
Black feminist thinkers and activists have helped us understand that racism, sexism and violence are deeply connected to wider systems of power and inequality.
Their work continues to challenge us to listen to experiences that have historically been overlooked, question whose voices are centred, and recognise the different barriers survivors may face. Understanding this history is not just about looking back. It is about using what we have learned to build more inclusive, accessible and responsive services, research and movements that recognise the experiences of all women and work towards ending violence against women and girls.
This month, keep an eye on our social media channels for more Black History Month content.
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How to get help from Solace Womens Aid – free, confidential advice and support for women in London affected by abuse.
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