For more than 40 years, researchers have studied Intimate Partner Violence, providing insight into the problem and offering solutions for decreasing the epidemic of intimate partner homicide. With increased awareness, laws and services, intimate partner homicides of males in the U.S. have significantly decreased since 1980. However, homicides of women are increasing, intimate partner violence in teen dating relationships is on the rise, and more than half of all mass shootings in the U.S. have been linked to domestic violence. We recommend that you watch the film before commenting to gain a better understanding of the conversation!
Violence in Indian Country By StrongHearts Native Helpline
Many Native and non-Native domestic violence experts agree that the prevalence of violence in Indian Country is a modern effect of the historical trauma that our people continue to experience. The extent of domestic violence in tribal communities is particularly overwhelming.
Colonization and Domestic Violence
The parallels that can be drawn between colonialism and domestic violence can be seen through their definitions and through a review of Native American history. Having lived through genocide and horrific suffering, the aftermath of European contact and colonization continues to not only haunt Native Americans, it wreaks havoc in our everyday lives.
Colonization is the act of domination involving the subjugation of one people to another. It’s the practice of gaining full or partial control over another country and its Indigenous peoples, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. In the process, colonizers impose their religion, economics and cultural practices on others. Simply put, this is Native American history in a nutshell.
Domestic violence occurs in a relationship when one partner uses a pattern of abusive behavior to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. The abuse can physically harm, arouse fear, prevent a person from acting freely, or force them to behave in ways they do not want.
Historical Trauma
While a newly researched topic, epigenetic research has led to findings that trauma has been chemically etched into the DNA of survivors. The signature of oppression, abuse, starvation, and genocide was written into the epigenetic code of every Native American. This signature is known as intergenerational trauma and has been passed down through generations of survivors â?? Holocaust survivors, Native Americans and African Americans share the same epigenetic chemical signature.
According to a New York Times science report “Can We Really Inherit Trauma?” epigenetic research is in its infancy, but supports preliminary findings that suggest trauma transmission is plausible. The idea of trauma transmission presumably occurs before conception, but other studies also suggest that trauma can be expressed after conception and within the womb of abused pregnant mothers.
Before colonization, abuse and domestic violence were rare in tribal communities. Equally important is acknowledging the existence of Native women as the backbone of our families and tribal communities. Our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and daughters play a major role in maintaining our culture and protecting our families. They are our healers, caretakers, protectors, warriors, and leaders. However, for generations, American Indians and Alaska Natives have struggled against and from under the effects of colonization, inadequate resources, marginalization, termination and assimilation, and a lack of acknowledgment of the role that history has played in our continued hurt.
Recognizing the High Rates of Violence
The National Institute of Justice recently released a study analyzing data collected in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Partner Survey. The study found that more than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women had experienced violence in their lifetime, and one in three had experienced violence within the past year.
The report also found that among Native American people:
More than 56 percent had experienced sexual violence
More than 55 percent had experienced intimate partner violence
Nearly half had experienced stalking, and at least two in three had experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner
Of the estimated 1.5 million Native women who had experienced violence, 97 percent of the violence was committed by a non-Native perpetrator (ex. individuals of other races)
The study also examined how this violence affects our tribal communities and Native survivors. For American Indian and Alaska Native people, the study found:
Two in three women and a quarter of men had expressed safety concerns in their relationships
41.4 percent of women and 20.3 percent of men had been physically harmed
About half of women and nearly one in five men stated they needed victim services
Barriers to Safety and Justice
Native Americans can face unique barriers to leaving an abusive partner. Some of these barriers include:
Geographic isolation (ex. living in a rural tribal community)
Fear of being identified or retaliated against
Lack of law enforcement (ex. In remote areas)
Gaps in culturally-based supportive services
Historical distrust of law enforcement
Cross-jurisdictional issues when seeking help and/or reporting
With few options and supportive resources, Native American victims of abuse can often go without assistance. StrongHearts Native Helpline (1-844-7NATIVE) provides culturally-appropriate support, referrals to Native-centered resources, safety planning and more. Contact StrongHearts at 1-844-7NATIVE or click on the Chat Now icon to connect one-on-one with an advocate daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT. As a collaborative effort of the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) and the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, after-hour callers can connect with The Hotline by choosing option one
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