Her Voice Lives On: Tarica’s Legacy of Strength, Healing, and Hope
By Shequana Pulliam
On the morning of August 6, 2008, just days before my 31st birthday, the most unimaginable tragedy hit my family. My sister, Tarica Pulliam, was murdered at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. Tarica was 27 years old and a detention officer with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office in Wilmington, NC. Tarica was also a single mother, raising her then 7-year-old daughter. She had goals of graduating Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET), becoming a deputy and providing the best life possible for her daughter. Tarica had a passion for her community and giving to others.
For the last 17 years, I have served in roles that have supported families and survivors of some of the worst forms of violence you can imagine. I’ve seen the worst of the worst. And through my experiences of processing my own grief and grieving with families who have lost loved ones, I have learned the power of survival, strength and resilience. None of which came to me overnight, but through therapy, healing, grieving and finding the right support systems that worked for me. This work has also educated me on things that we don’t talk about within our community.
Often, we will hear the questions of “Why won’t they just leave?” or hear statements that sound like “What happens in their house is none of my business” but these are mere falsities that society has framed us to believe so that we lose accountability for the realities of intimate partner violence. The truth is that a survivor may leave and return to their abuser several times before it is successful. But in those times, the dynamics of power and control consume the ability to “Just Leave”. Instead, a survivor’s risk of losing their life increases, each time they try to leave.
Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that transcends race, age, and socioeconomic status. However, for women of color, the impacts of intimate partner violence (IPV) are compounded by systemic racism, cultural stigmas, and economic disparities. These overlapping challenges make escaping abuse more difficult and healing more complex. Understanding how domestic violence uniquely affects women of color is essential to building equitable systems of support and justice (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence [NCADV], 2023).
Black women are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence and face additional barriers when seeking help. Studies show that Black women are nearly three times more likely to die because of domestic violence than white women (Institute for Women’s Policy Research [IWPR], 2017). Mistrust of law enforcement—rooted in historical racism—often discourages reporting.
Latina women may fear deportation, language barriers, or social stigma when accessing shelters or legal aid (National Latin@ Network, 2020). Family expectations to maintain privacy can further silence survivors.
Indigenous women experience the highest rates of domestic and sexual violence in the U.S., with more than 4 in 5 having experienced violence in their lifetime (Rosay, 2016). Jurisdictional gaps and underfunded tribal resources leave many cases unresolved.
Asian American women may face pressure to maintain family unity and avoid bringing “shame” to their household, which often leads to underreporting and internalized trauma (Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, 2022).
Economic dependence is also one of the most powerful tools abusers use to maintain control. For women of color, this control is intensified by structural racism in the labor market. Black and Latina women are overrepresented in low-wage jobs with limited benefits (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). Limited access to childcare, transportation, and affordable housing makes leaving an abusive relationship far more difficult.
Economic abuse—such as sabotaging employment or withholding money—can be devastating when combined with racialized economic barriers (Adams et al., 2008).
The emotional and physical toll of domestic violence is profound. Survivors often experience chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, women of color face additional challenges in accessing culturally competent care (Bent-Goodley, 2021). Chronic exposure to racism and trauma can lead to long-term health disparities, including hypertension, reproductive issues, and substance use disorders (Williams & Mohammed, 2013).
When women of color report abuse, they frequently encounter systems that fail to protect them. Black women are more likely to be arrested alongside their abusers or dismissed as “aggressors” due to racial bias in policing (Richie, 2012). Immigrant survivors may fear deportation or legal retaliation (Orloff & Kaguyutan, 2002).
Indigenous survivors face a unique crisis of justice: jurisdictional confusion between tribal and federal authorities often results in impunity for perpetrators (Indian Law Resource Center, 2020).
Despite the challenges, women of color have long been at the forefront of survivor-led movements for justice and healing there are many organizations across the world that are leading efforts that center cultural identity, collective healing, and empowerment. Faith-based initiatives, peer support circles, and culturally informed therapy models help survivors reclaim their voice and agency.
Domestic violence against women of color reflects the intersection of gender-based violence and racial injustice. It cannot be separated from the social, economic, and historical forces that shape survivors’ lives. By amplifying their stories and supporting culturally responsive solutions, we can move toward a future where every woman—regardless of race or background—has the safety, dignity, and freedom to thrive.
I have learned from my personal experiences that we all have an obligation when it comes to supporting victims and survivors of intimate partner violence. We can be the person who listens without judgement, share resources, and use our voices to break the silence and bring more attention to the need for more education and awareness. And let us not forget those who have been taken from us at the hands of their abuser. Keep telling their stories and keep their memories alive. Continue the conversation and remember abuse does not equal love.
