While many articles cite the rising crime in Minnesota in particular and the nation at-large, little attention is paid to the victims of these crimes and the ramifications it holds for their lives.
Ayada Leads is publishing its first independent study, focusing on the fear of crime among Somali diaspora women and their communities.
In early 2021, we heard Somali women in particular were being impacted by surging crime in Minneapolis, and we wondered whether identity played a role in them being targeted. But we couldn’t find any neighborhood public safety data that included Somali women in the context of the larger community.
So we conducted a survey of Somali women who were recently victims of crime in their North Minneapolis neighborhoods. We wanted to know not only what happened, but how it impacted their lives and also how we can provide adequate assistance to support the victims and their families.
We felt our city and community could benefit from new research in the context of community safety and new Americans. Among other goals, our aim with this study is to strengthen neighborhood safety through the empowerment of African diaspora women.
As a follow-up to our study, we are in the works of planning a workshop for victims and their families to start the process of healing. We also plan with city council members, particularly those who represent North Minneapolis, to advocate for these women and help leadership recognize the specific problems facing their neighborhoods.
As stated in our Purpose, Ayada Leads strives to harness the political and social power of Diaspora women and new Americans so that we can incorporate their values & policies into the public sphere.
We hope this study can be one step towards a safe and more just future. You can find it here, or in “Resources” under the “Research” Tab.