According to the Black Women’s Blueprint, a majority of Black girls have experienced sexual abuse by the age of 18. Nationwide, Black girls have some of the highest rates of sexual and domestic violence victimization relative to white girls and other girls of color. These epidemic rates have only skyrocketed under COVID, yet Black girls continue to be marginalized in national discourse and policy initiatives around #MeToo AND reproductive health care.
On Saturday, October 22nd from 11:30-2:00, the #Standing4BlackGirls coalition, Women’s Leadership Project and other community partners will hold space for survivors in an annual outdoor community action to disrupt rape culture and sexual violence against Black girls and women in Leimert Park at 4343 Leimert Blvd, 90008 (in front of the Vision Theater and KAOS network, across from the park). The action will focus on lifting up survivor voices, while calling on policymakers and elected officials to earmark mental and reproductive health, jobs, and educational resources for Black girls across sexualities.