Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, is known for its natural beauty, horse racing, bourbon, and fried chicken. But behind its charming facade, there is a dark reality that many people are unaware of: Kentucky is the most dangerous state in the country if you’re a Black woman.
According to the latest data from the Violence Policy Center, Kentucky ranks first among all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the rate of Black female homicide victims per 100,000 population. In 2021, there were 24 Black women killed by men in Kentucky, resulting in a rate of 4.71, more than twice the national average of 2.07.
What are the causes of this violence?
There are many factors that contribute to the high rate of Black female homicide in Kentucky, but some of the most common ones are:
Domestic violence: Most of the Black women who were killed in Kentucky knew their killers. In fact, 75% of them were murdered by a current or former intimate partner. Domestic violence is a pervasive problem that affects women of all races and backgrounds, but Black women face additional barriers to seeking help, such as racism, discrimination, poverty, and lack of access to resources and support.
Gun violence: Firearms are the most common weapon used to kill Black women in Kentucky. Out of the 24 cases in 2021, 19 involved guns, accounting for 79% of the total. Kentucky has some of the weakest gun laws in the country, allowing easy access to firearms for anyone, including domestic abusers and felons. The state does not require background checks for private sales, does not prohibit the possession of firearms by domestic violence offenders, and does not have a red flag law that would allow the temporary removal of guns from people who pose a danger to themselves or others.
Structural violence: Structural violence refers to the systematic and institutionalized oppression and inequality that affect marginalized groups in society. Black women in Kentucky face multiple forms of structural violence, such as racism, sexism, classism, and heterosexism, that limit their opportunities, rights, and well-being. For example, Black women in Kentucky have lower levels of education, income, and health care access than white women and men. They also experience higher rates of unemployment, poverty, incarceration, and maternal mortality. These social and economic disadvantages increase their vulnerability to violence and reduce their ability to escape or prevent it.
What can be done to prevent this violence?
The high rate of Black female homicide in Kentucky is a public health crisis that requires urgent and comprehensive action from various stakeholders, including the government, the criminal justice system, the health care system, the media, the community, and the individuals. Some of the possible solutions are:
Strengthening the gun laws: Kentucky should enact stricter gun regulations that would prevent dangerous people from obtaining or keeping firearms, such as requiring universal background checks, prohibiting domestic abusers and stalkers from possessing guns, and implementing a red flag law. These measures have been proven to reduce the risk of homicide, especially for women.
Improving the response to domestic violence: Kentucky should improve its response to domestic violence by providing more funding, training, and coordination for the agencies and organizations that serve victims and survivors, such as law enforcement, courts, shelters, and advocates. The state should also implement policies and programs that would enhance the safety, protection, and empowerment of victims and survivors, such as mandatory arrest, protective orders, counseling, and economic assistance.
Addressing the structural violence: Kentucky should address the structural violence that affects Black women by promoting social justice and equity in all aspects of society. The state should invest in the education, health, employment, and housing of Black women and their communities, and eliminate the disparities and discrimination that they face. The state should also foster a culture of respect and inclusion for Black women and their identities, and challenge the stereotypes and biases that devalue and dehumanize them.
Conclusion
Kentucky is the most dangerous state in the country if you’re a Black woman, but it does not have to be. By acknowledging the problem, understanding the causes, and implementing the solutions, Kentucky can become a safer and better place for Black women and everyone else. It is time to end the violence and injustice that Black women face, and to honor their lives and dignity.