“Research has found that Native Americans experience a per capita rate of violence twice that of the U.S. resident population, and that female Native Americans are murdered at ten times the national average (Datangel, 2023).” Native American and Alaska Native individuals face particularly high rates of domestic violence, and while exact experiences differ across nations, tribes, and regions, many of the dynamics of abuse are the same. More than four in five Native American women have experienced violence, and more than one in two have experienced sexual violence. Numbers can illustrate the scope of the crisis, but they cannot capture the lived reality of it. Statistics only hint at the immense pain that domestic and sexual violence inflicts on survivors, Native communities, and entire Nations. The cost reaches far beyond the data. Native children exposed to violence, experience PTSD at rates three times higher than the general population. Still, the statistics leave no room for denial that violence against Native American and Alaska Native communities is an urgent, ongoing issue that demands immediate attention.
What we know is the intersection between historical trauma, systemic marginalization, and cultural traditions can shape how abuse is experienced and how survivors seek support.
Here are some culturally-specific examples of abuse experienced by Native survivors as stated from the resource The Hotline:
- Pronounced gender stereotypes that emphasize one partner’s needs over another’s. Abusive partners may try to justify unequal power dynamics using cultural customs or traditional beliefs.
- Efforts to isolate you by limiting what you can do (including decisions about work or school) and who you can spend time with, particularly among others from your community. Jealousy may be used as a justification for attempts at isolation.
- Manipulation in situations with children including making you feel guilty about your parenting, involving your children in the situation, or threatening to harm or take your children away. Particularly given historical legacies of forced adoption in Native communities, threats or steps to remove children from a parent’s custody may carry additional emotional trauma.
- Financial abuse by taking money from your victim or making you dependent on an abusive partner for necessities. This may involve efforts to prevent you from working in order to further isolate you financially and socially.
- Threatening to harm you or themselves, leave the relationship, report you to law enforcement, or force you to perform illegal acts.
- Cultural abuse by using culture to justify abusive behaviors. This may include competitions over “Indian-ness” or “blood quantum,” or the overemphasis of traditional gender roles.
- Ritual abuse by invoking spirituality or religion to justify abuse. This is a particularly varied form of abuse but may include threats through prayer, preventing you from practicing your chosen religion, or interpreting religious texts or beliefs as justifications for abusive behavior.
At Safe Passage, our mission is to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence, to raise awareness, and to partner with the community in healing, safety, and justice. This blog highlights critical truths and challenges, and reminds us of our collective responsibility to learn, listen, and support survivors in culturally responsive ways. If you or someone you know needs help, contact Safe Passage today. You can also contact StrongHearts Native Helpline, which is a 24/7 culturally appropriate, anonymous, and confidential service dedicated to serving Native Survivors by calling 1-844-762-8483, or visit strongheartshelpline.org.
Resources
Datangel, K. (2023, November 21). Bringing Awareness to Violence in Tribal Communities. California Courts Newsroom. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/bringing-awareness-violence-tribal-communities
The Hotline (n.d.). Abuse in Native American & Alaska Native Communities. https://www.thehotline.org/resources/abuse-in-native-american-alaska-native-communities/
Written by: Kirsti McNeece
