Open AccessViolence Against Indigenous Women in the United States: A Policy Analysis
Author(s) -
Annie Benjamin,
Elizabeth D. Gillette
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
columbia social work review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2372-255X
pISSN - 2164-1250
DOI - 10.52214/cswr.v19i1.7542
Subject(s) - indigenous , legislation , criminology , sexual violence , political science , face (sociological concept) , domestic violence , poison control , suicide prevention , medicine , sociology , environmental health , law , social science , ecology , biology
Disproportionate levels of violence, disappearance, and murder are endemic among Indigenous women in the United States (U.S.). The prevalence of such violence has persisted for centuries, with little direct action taken to elevate the issue, protect Indigenous women, and hold individual and systemic perpetrators accountable. As a result, Indigenous women in the U.S. face various forms of violence at 2.5 times the rate of non-Indigenous women, with murder being the third leading cause of death. A staggering 94% of Indigenous women experience sexual violence in their lifetime (Urban Health Institute, 2019).Through an analysis of existing and new legislation aimed at addressing the issue of violence against Indigenous women, we reveal the ways in which policies have fallen critically short of achieving this mission, highlight the strengths of recently enacted legislation, and provide recommendations for implementation in order to truly prevent violence, and therefore to protect and empower Indigenous women.