young Black man on a train, looking at the camera 
COVID-19 Survivor Impact Briefs 
Boys and Men of Color

The National Resource Center for Reaching Victims conducted a series of 
listening sessions to unearth the impact the COVID-19 health crisis is 
having on underserved victims of crime and better resource the crime 
victim services field to respond to those needs. 

This brief summarizes the issues and strategies that emerged from 
listening sessions on boys and men of color survivors. 

Introduction 

Boys and Men of Color (BMOC) and the providers that serve them, have been greatly impacted 
by the COVID-19 pandemic. Boys and Men of Color experience high levels of poverty, crime, 
and trauma and COVID-19 has only amplified these challenges. This brief explores some of 
those needs and creative solutions shared during listening sessions, strategy sessions, and 
conversations with survivors. 

National Resource Center for Reaching Victims logo and Common Justice logo

Unique Impacts 

Issues Amplified During this Crisis 

Boys and Men of Color have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. A large percentage work 
in industries that have seen massive business closure due to COVID-19. Unable to 
generate income, those who have lost their job are experiencing heightened anxiety over 
the uncertainty of when shelter-in-place orders will be lifted and businesses will reopen to 
be able to meet their basic needs. There is also a large percentage of men that are 
essential workers and because they must continue working, their chance of infection is 
greater. 
Boys and Men of Color are more likely to have underlying conditions such as heart 
disease. Based on currently available information, such conditions have been linked to a 
higher risk of severe infection from coronavirus. This knowledge has created and 
exacerbated existing anxiety among BMOC and their communities over the health 
implications of coronavirus. 


Shelter-in-Place Orders have Increased Vulnerabilities and 
Impacted Important Services 

BMOC experience high levels of trauma which are likely to be exacerbated by the shelterin-
place orders and the lifestyle adjustments caused by COVID-19. Shelter-in-place 
orders have restricted access to healthy trauma coping mechnisms and some may be 
resorting to unhealthy activities such as alcohol consumption and drug use. The 
psychologically taxing nature of sheltering-in-place is likely to exacerbate pre-existing 
trauma and anxiety as well. 
Incarcerated people are being released from prisons and jails to prevent the spread of 
COVID-19. A large percentage of incarcerated people are survivors of violence, and the 
experience of re-entering society after long periods of incarceration is extremely 
challenging. Having to re-enter during a pandemic is especially traumatizing, and many of 
the programs and services meant to help people with this transition have shut down due 
to coronavirus or are overburdened due to higher demand. The needs of this population 
are going unmet and more resources are needed for organizations that can provide these 
services. 


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Engaging and retaining Boys and Men of Color in services has always been a major 
challenge for providers due to this population’s lack of trust in service providers, lack of 
resources to access available services, and lack of culturally competent care. Retention is 
also a major challenge. Because of COVID-19 and the shift to digital platforms as a 
means to facilitate services, it has been reported that providers are having a harder time 
keeping BMOC engaged. 
Remote learning under coronavirus presents many challenges for BMOC. Many service 
providers have said clients do not have access to basic technology like internet and 
computers. 


COVID-19 has Exposed Racial Inequality 

Some of the policies that have emerged to provide relief to individuals, organizations, and 
businesses due to coronavirus have been discriminatory. The Payment Protection Program, 
for example, aims to give COVID-19 relief to small businesses, however, it disqualifies any 
business or organization that hires formerly incarcerated people. A disproportionate 
number of BMOC have been impacted by the criminal legal system, and these 
discriminatory clauses punish organizations that support incarcerated survivors through 
employment by disqualifying them for emergency funds they may need to sustain their 
organizations. More resources are needed for these organizations. 

Covid-19 has fueled racism against African-American and Latino communities. As data 
shows that death rates among Latinos and African-Americans is higher, politicians have 
made racist comments, suggesting that the lifestyle choices of these groups is a reason 
they are getting sick. Victim blaming, such as this, is triggering for Boys and Men of Color 
who have experienced high levels of racism throughout their lives. More, there has been 
conversation around whether it is safe for BMOC to wear the required masks given 
universal stereotypes that influence perception of them as a threat. 

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Many Boys and Men of Color have experienced negative interactions with healthcare 
providers in the past. More negative experiences have been reported since coronavirus. 
As healthcare providers–– doctors, medical staff, and first responders––are experiencing 
heightened levels of stress, there have been more reported cases of implicit bias against 
BMOC coming from healthcare providers. Even one negative experience in a healthcare 
setting can make someone from this population less likely to seek services again. 
African American males are over represented with cases and death from COVID-19. The 
community needs better data. Comprehensive demographic data on people who are 
tested or treated for COVID-19 does not exist. Senator Warren and Representative 
Pressley are leading the way and asking state and county hospitals and labs to report the 
racial demographics of people affected by COVID-19. Right now, the survey data 
available shows that the African American population is disproportionately impacted; in a 
number of major cities, African Americans make up a low percentage of the population 
but a high percentage of COVID-19 fatalities. With better data, there will be a better 
understanding of who is most vulnerable, and how to better serve this population. 
Undocumented immigrants are still being deported by ICE during the pandemic. This 
might prevent undocumented people from getting tested and treated if they come down 
with coronavirus symptoms. More, if they are arrested, they will likely be sent to detention 
centers or jails where their risk of infection is higher. 


Promising Strategies 

Organizations have integrated healing, self care, and meditation practices into their 
workday to reduce stress brought on by COVID-19. 
Service providers are utilizing available video technology to stay connected to clients, 
and are increasing levels of communication to ensure clients stay engaged and feel 
supported. 
Some programs are creating incentives to keep BMOC participating in programs, such as 


paying them for their time. Others have even paid them to obey self-quarantine. 
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Older Black man with a coat and hat, holding his hand to the sky, looking up toward the sky smiling with his eyes closed.
Some providers have seen a drop in clientele due to coronavirus and are using social 
media as a way to spread the word that individual and group services are still being 
offered. Others are expanding their geographic area to help offer services in areas where 
services, such as crisis centers, are going inactive. 
Communities have addressed the problem of technology access in a number of innovative 
ways, such as creating hot spots in communities. Others have urged instiutions to 
distribute excess stockpile of devices to students. In one case, a school in Montgomery, 
Alabama converted buses into mobile hotspots. Some communities have been conducting 
local surveys to identify which children need laptops and wifi, and have set up days that 
parents can come to the child's school to pick up devices. 


Mutual aid networks in the community have emerged to help with community needs such 
as grocery delivery and material and emotional support. 

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About the National Resource Center for Reaching Victims 

The National Resource Center for Reaching Victims (NRC) is a clearinghouse for victim 
service providers, culturally specific organizations, criminal justice professionals, and 
policymakers to get information and expert guidance to enhance their capacity to identify, 
reach, and serve all victims, especially those from communities that are underrepresented in 
healing services and avenues to justice. For more information about the NRC, visit the NRC’s 
website at http://reachingvictims.org. 

About Common Justice 

Common Justice develops and advances solutions to violence that transform the lives of 
those harmed and foster racial equity without relying on incarceration. Locally, we operate 
the first alternative-to-incarceration and victim-service program in the United States that 
focuses on violent felonies in the adult courts. Nationally, we leverage the lessons from our 
direct service to transform the justice system through partnerships, advocacy, and elevating 
the experience and power of those most impacted. Rigorous and hopeful, we build practical 
strategies to hold people accountable for harm, break cycles of violence, and secure safety, 
healing, and justice for survivors and their communities. For more information about 
Common Justice visit the Common Justice website at https://www.commonjustice.org 

This resource was produced by the Vera Institute of Justice under award #2016 XV GX K015, awarded by 
the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, 
findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this (insert type of product) are those of the 
contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the 

U.S. Department of Justice. 

April 2020