Preventing Violence using Intersectionality

People are not simple; there are multiple aspects of every person that create an identity. For example, someone can be Black, female, disabled, and young, and each of these aspects of identity will shape the opportunities and experiences they have.  

Traditional ways of examining violence data looks at one aspect of identity at a time. New patterns around experiencing violence emerge when an intersectionality approach is taken, providing new insight on ways to prevent violence.  

What is intersectionality?

Intersectionality looks at how people with different combinations of identities may be treated in their daily life by the people, structures, and systems around them. When a person belongs to more than one group experiencing discrimination or inequity, this can impact their health in unique ways. Intersectionality is a critical lens for prevention because it can show how different systems can work together to create different types of advantages and disadvantages.

Implications for violence prevention

Intersectionality can help explain patterns of increases in inequities along lines of power differences. A study published in 2024 found that 7.6% of Minnesota 9th and 11th graders experienced intimate partner sexual violence, however, this increased to 32% for teens who were assigned male at birth, identified as LGBTQ+, transgender or unsure of gender identity, and who were Black, Indigenous, or a person of color. These findings show that people who experience multiple forms of oppression report higher rates of violence.

Violence is never caused by victims or their identities. Violence inequities are caused by societal power differences by race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, class, disability, age and more.

Learn more

Intersectionality Gives us Insights on how to Prevent Violence - English (PDF)

Using Intersectionality in Data Analysis: An Example from Violence Prevention – English (PDF)