Domestic Violence
Dear Editor: As we are at the end of Native American Heritage Month, we would like to take an opportunity to show our gratitude to the Lingít people for stewarding the land we live and work on since time immemorial.
We would also like to delve deeper into an issue that still plagues our communities, the high rates of domestic violence that is perpetrated against Alaska Native women, men and children. More than 1.5 million American Indian and Alaska Native women and 1.4 million Native men have experienced violence in their lifetime, often by non-Indian perpetrators.
Colonialism and the impacts of historical trauma are the main contributors for these high rates of violence. Colonialism led to disruption of Indigenous systems and structures that once fostered harmony and wellbeing. The attempted eradication of culture, power dynamics, and violence brought by settlers in Native communities have led to long lasting negative health outcomes that include domestic violence.
Domestic violence is, by definition, when someone attempts to maintain power and control over another person in a relationship through different fear inducing methods such as mental, cultural, financial, physical or sexual abuse. It happens repetitively and sometimes in a cycle where there are times of lesser lethality or abuse and times of heightened lethality or abuse.
Domestic violence is NOT traditional to Indigenous cultures.
The main job of domestic violence and sexual assault advocates is to address the symptoms of violence by supporting victims and survivors to find safety, navigate the challenging systems we work within, and promote healing.
However, to create true change in our communities, it is essential to address the root causes of domestic violence and other harmful norms, and create avenues in which youth can gain access to programs and support that increase the protective factors they have in their lives. We must uplift and empower Alaska Native communities and leaders and support culture as one of the greatest avenues for healing.
Sitkans Against Family Violence staff members
