NCJ Number
216681
Date Published
2003
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This report describes a rural domestic violence public awareness campaign conducted on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
Abstract
The project was jointly managed by Cangleska, Inc., a domestic violence organization located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and the South Dakota Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The latter organization is a 20-member State network of domestic violence programs that includes representation from all nine Indian reservations in the State. One goal of the project was to increase the amount and type of public education resources and materials available to those involved in preventing and responding to domestic violence. A second goal was to develop universal symbols for use in domestic violence prevention campaign materials designed to have meaning and appeal for both Indian and rural non-Indian South Dakotans. A third goal was to create a more unified and consistent approach to public education about domestic violence. In pursuing these goals, the project surveyed Coalition-member programs and Indian advocates regarding their public education activities and needs. This was done through written surveys and coordination of a meeting of advocates. Using the information collected, a series of printed materials (brochures, posters, and booklets) was developed and disseminated to the public through local domestic violence programs throughout the State. Another component of the project was the development of a statewide directory for domestic-violence-program advocates that lists public education, media, and legal/court resources. The project also involved coordination of a public-awareness activity intended to occur simultaneously at several locations throughout Indian country. Staff also planned to hold a second meeting of advocates in order to assess the effectiveness of project materials and activities.