black womenIn particular, they face disproportionately high rates of couple violence. A 2020 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more than 45% of Black women have experienced some form of physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking by a partner. intimate partner during their life. For Latina women, the figure is 37.1%, and Indigenous women face even higher rates of violence, at 55.5%. Furthermore, black women in abusive relationships are three times more likely be murdered by their partner than white women.

Domestic violence is more than a personal issue; It is a public health crisis and, for many women of color, it may become a precursor to their demise.

In cases where domestic violence occurs, victims are often isolated from their support networks, which can make it easier for them to disappear without raising immediate concerns.

Therefore, understanding the intersection between domestic violence and missing persons crises is essential to effectively address both issues.

Underreporting and media abandonment

The invisibility of Black people in the media is not a new phenomenon, but it is particularly evident when it comes to missing persons cases.

When a white woman goes missing, her case is more likely to be widely covered in the media, a phenomenon known as “missing white woman syndrome.” Meanwhile, disappearances of black and brown women are often overlooked, leading to a discrepancy in how these cases are handled and the amount of attention they receive.

Take Gabby Petito, a 23-year-old white woman who was kidnapped and tragically murdered by her fiancé Brian Laundrie in 2021. Her case generated extensive national media coverage. Photos and videos of her face appeared on social media platforms and were replayed in 24-hour news cycles, prompting millions of people across the country to tune in for updates from law enforcement agencies investigating her disappearance.

Compared to Akia Eggleston, a young black woman from Baltimore who disappeared in 2017, there is a clear and disturbing disparity. The 22-year-old was eight months pregnant when she disappeared shortly before her baby shower. Her body and the remains of the fetus have not yet been found. It is a case that has incredible weight and gravity: enough to merit national media coverage. However, it did not even attract the attention of the local media.

However, BAMFI’s intervention ensured that Eggleston’s case did not go unnoticed. Through persistent work with the Baltimore community, law enforcement agencies, and national media, visibility and awareness of Eggleston’s disappearance increased dramatically. However, it still wasn’t enough to bring her home. Eggleston’s case came to a tragic end in 2023 when her boyfriend, Michael Robertson, was found guilty of the murder of her and her unborn child.

Both the Petito and Eggleston cases are just two examples that reveal a large gap in urgency and treatment by the media and authorities. It’s an imbalance that has real-world consequences. Black people account for nearly 40% of all missing persons cases in the United States, despite being only 13% of the population.

Petito’s parents have used their platform to highlight this disparity. They have advocated for fair and equitable media coverage of cases arising in marginalized communities, emphasizing that every missing person deserves equal media visibility regardless of color or background.

In cases where missing persons cases involving people of color are ignored by the media, the resources devoted to finding them become limited as a result.

The need for systemic change in law enforcement

Law enforcement agencies must take domestic violence seriously, especially when it involves women of color.

A 2020 study by the National Library of Medicine reveals that Black and Latina women who experienced sexual or intimate partner violence were two to three times more likely to encounter derogatory responses or mistreatment from authorities when reporting incidents of abuse.

In many cases, law enforcement is slower to act on reports of missing black women and children, believing they are “runaways” or “engaged in criminal activity.” This contributes to the cycle of neglect and invisibility that leaves these women at greater risk of harm.

Authorities must investigate these cases with the same urgency as they would anyone else, and training is essential to reinforce appropriate responses and ensure the safety of all victims.

Adopting mandatory approaches such as early intervention and risk assessments can help police identify potential escalation in domestic violence cases before they escalate into potential kidnappings and homicides.

Additionally, police calls about domestic violence situations often end with only a police report or arrest, but officers should take the time and opportunity to direct victims to community resources and support systems.

While nonprofit organizations and domestic violence shelters do important work, they are often underfunded and overburdened. More funding should be allocated to these organizations to help them provide the services survivors need to escape abusive relationships and stay safe.

At the center of domestic violence and missing persons crises are survivors: victims of color who have been failed by the systems that were supposed to protect them. If we truly want to address the issue of missing black people, we must also take domestic violence seriously. It is not enough to report statistics; First, we must address the root causes and structural inequalities that leave victims vulnerable.

To break the cycle of violence and disappearance, we must center the voices of survivors and invest in the communities most affected by these issues. By doing so, we can begin to address the intersection of domestic violence and the missing persons crisis and work toward a future where every man, woman, and child, regardless of race or background, can live free of violence and fear.

If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, visit the National Domestic Violence website or call their hotline at 1-800-799-7233. To learn more about domestic violence and missing persons crises in Black and Brown communities, check out BAMFI’s “Untold Stories: Black and Missing” podcast at blackandmissingpodcast.com.