Victimization in Rural Communities
Violence and abuse can be physically and psychologically devastating to victims, children, families, and communities. Individuals in rural communities may be reluctant to report abuse in fear they will not be taken seriously, their confidentiality will not be maintained, their reputation may be damaged, or the outcome will lead to continued and more severe abuse.1 In rural America, child abuse and neglect are also frequently underreported due to isolation and geographic remoteness, a lack of social services, a lack of emergency housing, and social stigma for survivors.2 The consequence of non-reporting can be devastating.
1 Rural Health Information Hub. Violence and Abuse in Rural America. Received on May 11th, 2021 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/violence-and-abuse.
2 Ibid