NCJ Number
207674
Journal
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse: A Review Journal Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2004 Pages: 353-366
Date Published
October 2004
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This literature review examines the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault in Native American communities, along with risk factors and interventions.
Abstract
Several studies indicate that American Indians experience violent victimization at a greater rate than other racial/ethnic subgroups in the United States. In the National Violence Against Women Survey, almost 65 percent of American Indian women reported being raped or assaulted, compared to 55 percent of the total survey sample. A national survey that explored 1-year prevalence rates of violence in marriage found that 15.5 percent of Indian couples reported violence within the marriage, and 7.2 percent reported severe violence. Although little sound research has focused on risk factors for IPV and sexual assault among Native American women, there is speculation that the treatment of Native Americans by colonizers, racism, exploitation of resources, seizure of lands, the introduction of alcohol, and disease have decimated the cultural and social conditions of Native Americans. After discussing barriers to services for Native American victims of IPV and sexual assault, the article identifies research issues and suggests community-based interventions, health care-based interventions, and the role of Federal and national organizations in interventions. 3 tables, 5 notes, and 61 references