Psychologist challenges systemic barriers

In revealing new research, University of East London alumna and clinical psychologist Dr Amani Milligan has explored the array of cultural and societal barriers that prevent many Black women who have survived sexual violence from receiving the support they need.

In her doctoral thesis, she set out to understand the unique experiences of Black women survivors and identify strategies to improve support systems.

Dr Milligan studied for her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at UEL between 2020 and 2023 and is now a clinical psychologist with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Her motivation to explore this topic stemmed from her observations while working in a women's mental health ward, where she encountered numerous cases of trauma.

She said,

I saw that the way that women were treated could be different based on different factors such as race and age. This was around the time when there were more conversations happening about women’s experiences. There was the #MeToo movement, for example, and I was interested in the narratives around sexual violence. I started to hone in on some of those intersects.”

Driven by a desire to understand the underlying factors behind survivors' experiences, Dr Milligan embarked on research that culminated in her doctoral thesis, We Deserve Better: An Exploration of Black Women's Mental Health and Help-Seeking Experiences after Sexual Violence. Through a combination of quantitative surveys and interviews with survivors, she sought to uncover the complex dynamics of shame, self-compassion, and help-seeking behaviour.

She uncovered a range of cultural, psychological and societal barriers that prevent Black women from receiving the treatment they need.

One of the key challenges identified in Dr Milligan’s research was the pervasive influence of societal stereotypes, such as the "Strong Black Woman" narrative.

She said, “Essentially, the media hypersexualise Black women, they say that we are seeking this, that we are at fault for what’s happened to us. But that also implies we are beyond support, we can deal with everything on our own, and we are strong. Survivors can experience a shaming narrative that blames them for their experience.

“It’s important for women to understand that the pain they are facing is a result of what has happened to them, not a failing of character.

“One of the main types of therapy for a person who has experienced sexual violence is compassion-focused therapy, so the individual can counteract shame. But as Black women face pervasive shaming discrimination this may not be sufficiently addressed by self-compassion alone.”

Lack of trust in systems

Moreover, Dr Milligan's research underscored the impact of historical and systemic racism on survivors' trust in support systems.

She said, “Unfortunately the structures and policies of a lot of support services have been rooted in systemic racism and a lot of Black people who have tried to access these services have faced horrific situations

“There is a higher likelihood of physical restraint or medical restraint, for example, and more likelihood of being diagnosed with conditions which have a high level of stigma. So, for example, Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.

“As such there may be a cultural expectation to not speak to professionals. This can be a difficult expectation for Black women to navigate.”

Despite these challenges, Dr Milligan's research also revealed moments of resilience and strength among survivors.

She said, "Recognising the importance of self-compassion and community support can be instrumental in the healing process. By fostering compassionate and culturally informed support systems meaningful change can be achieved.”

Dr Milligan emphasises the importance of amplifying the voices of survivors and advocating for systemic reforms.

“It is important for services to consider how to make their support more accessible,” she said. “Staff must be culturally informed and cognisant of the unique sociopolitical and historical context that surrounds Black women’s experiences.”

Reflecting on her work, she said, “It was a challenging project. I have personal experience of the systemic discrimination and misogynoir that we face. Being exposed to the literature and stories I heard was at times upsetting and frustrating. However, meeting the women who selflessly shared their stories was inspiring and fuelled my desire to pursue the research and share it widely to ensure the voices of Black women are heard.”

If you would like to know more about our Psychology courses, visit our dedicated subject pages.