Empowering silenced voices : counseling techniques for Black rape survivors

In the United States, Black women are more likely to be sexually victimized than any other ethnic group. Despite the higher rates among Black women, there is little research that provides therapists with approaches and techniques that are culturally specific to Black women. Instead, most literature has focused on women as a whole, rather than examining the different cultural values and forms of support that are needed for recovery in different ethnic groups. Therefore, this report will provide therapists with a sociocultural lens to increase awareness of the Black woman's identity, while suggesting a Womanist theoretical approach to group psychotherapy as an ideal method of treatment.