Domestic violence and dating violence happens when an intimate partner uses a repetitive pattern of abuse to maintain power and control over their partner. Abuse can physically harm, arouse fear, prevent a person from acting freely, or force them to behave in ways they do not want.
Abuse can happen to anyone. It is not limited to a specific age, class, religion, male or female. Abuse can happen in relationships where couples are married, living together, dating or have children together.
Violent behavior can appear at any time in a relationship, though possessive, controlling and other alarming behavior often reveals itself as the relationship becomes more serious.
We know it can be difficult to talk about domestic violence in Tribal communities when people ignore that it’s happening or feel uncomfortable when the subject comes up. However, the reality is that American Indians and Alaska Natives experience domestic violence at higher rates than other groups.
Four out of Five (84.3%) American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women have experienced violence in their lifetime. For AI/AN men, four out of five men (81.6%) have experienced violence in their lifetime.
There are several types of abuse. People in abusive relationships often experience more than one type of abuse. Abusive behaviors can include, but are not limited to: physical abuse, emotional abuse, cultural abuse, spiritual abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse and digital abuse.
Domestic violence and dating violence are not Native American traditions, and neither is ever okay.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact the tribal Public Health Division at 707.825.5070 or the StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1.844.7NATIVE (762-8483).