Engaging Black Boys + Men to Prevent Future Violence

Violence Prevention and Community-based Healing for Black Men and Boys (including those who have caused harm): We are one of the only organizations in Washington to engage Black men and boys to prevent future violence against Black girls and women. We believe that engaging Black boys and men as allies and active participants in their individual and community healing is essential to ending cycles of violence. Our one-on-one coaching, group support, healing circles, and age-appropriate violence-prevention curriculum for Black boys and men address systemic causes of violence, rather than merely treating symptoms.

Addressing Systemic Causes: We cannot address gender-based violence without also addressing racism. Widespread racial disparities contribute to the fact that Black youth ages 12 to 19 are victims of violent crime at significantly higher rates than their white peers, and Black youth are three times more likely to be victims of reported child abuse or neglect. These experiences compromise physical, mental, economic, and social health, and contribute to increased rates of domestic violence in adulthood. Finally, we know from an analysis of offenders in Washington that a felony domestic violence conviction is the single greatest predictor of future violent crime among men. Our current systems for addressing violence in Black communities criminalize violent behavior (when it is reported) without addressing its root causes. This puts Black girls and women at increased risk of harm, and prevents Black men from being active participants in their individual and community healing.

Multi Communities seeks to transform systems of oppression by focusing on community-designed solutions to build power, increase healing, and reduce domestic and gender-based violence within Black communities.