Awareness

Black girls in Chicago face heightened risks of various forms of violence. Chicago has experienced significant gun violence, with young people being disproportionately affected.African American women, including young girls, are disproportionately impacted by intimate partner violence-related homicide. They experience the highest rates of murder resulting from intimate partner violence victimization. Black girls are more likely to experience physical abuse, which can lead to long-term physical and emotional consequences.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 19% of students ages 12 to 18 reported being bullied during the 2021–2022 school year. The prevalence of bullying is higher among female students (21.8%) compared to male students (16.7%). Additionally, a study published in the journal Psychiatry Research found that African American youth reported the highest rates of bullying victimization at 24%, compared to White (17.5%) and Latino (15.2%) adolescents. These statistics highlight the critical need for targeted anti-bullying initiatives for young Black girls.