Interpersonal Violence Among African American Young Adult Women and the Violence Interruption Process as a Bystander Intervention

Abstract

Few articles have focused specifically on interpersonal violence (IPV) and interventions in college-attending African American women. As bystander interventions become more prevalent in IPV prevention, it is important to understand how empathy can be impactful in changing belief systems and perceptions of IPV. Capturing the nuances of violence and communal responsibility for prevention within communities of color (African American) provides the scope of this paper. The Violence Interruption Process (VIP) as a bystander intervention focused on sociocultural contexts in the African American community to interrupt patterns of violence. Didactic presentations were conducted at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to 406 students for a 2- to 4-week period with male and co-ed groups. Groups were facilitated for 1.5 h each for the time period, and facilitators guided bystander intervention role-plays and experiential activities. Descriptive feedback indicated new insights and action by participants. Responses emphasized a better understanding of victims of violence in its varied forms, increased empathy toward others, and more sensitivity toward IPV as a general concept with a willingness to intervene. Attitude changes among male participants were particularly attributed to identifying ways in which persons had experienced violence in their lives. Participants reported that this helped them in empathic understanding. Further, they reported making connections between this understanding and intervening as an ally to victims in IPV situations. Making changes and stopping violence in the community as a community may be effective practice in violence intervention processes.