NCJ Number
221882
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2008 Pages: 113-118
Date Published
February 2008
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study identified distinctive features of Native-American domestic violence (DV), along with the needs and barriers to service delivery for Native Americans who experience DV.
Abstract
The study found that the prevalence of DV among Native Americans was linked with living in an impoverished rural population dispersed over a large geographical area. Also, family violence in the Native-American community can be viewed as "anger turned inward as a result of historic trauma" (participant quote). Another factor related to DV in Native-American communities is the reluctance of the community to intervene in what is generally viewed as private matters. Some aspects of Native-American culture make traditional means of identifying and intervening in DV difficult. Another finding was the existence of learned helplessness, making it difficult for victims to protect themselves. Also, leaving abusive relationships is at least as difficult for Native Americans as it is for the general population. Service needs identified were the need for culturally appropriate DV training for workers and agencies who deal with DV, community education about DV, transportation to service sites, more shelters for DV victims and their children, and more treatment services for drug and alcohol abuse. Data collection involved participant observation in the planning group designing and implementing an intervention program for child witnesses of DV in a Native-American community, child service specialists completing a questionnaire that assessed DV service needs in the community, a focus group with social service providers, and a survey of 17 Native-American users of services at the health clinic. 14 references