Restoration Magazine

Background

To better understand the landscape of domestic violence (DV) services in Indian Country, NIWRC conducted Conversations with Community (CWC), centering the lived experiences of community members to identify ongoing challenges and service gaps. This initiative included eight individual interviews and five small group, semi-structured interviews with Tribal leaders, Tribal coalitions, advocates, and survivors involved in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) domestic violence victim services, highlighting both existing resources and the factors that influence the approachability, availability, and effectiveness of domestic violence services.

These discussions and the following summary underscore the importance of increasing support for programs, expanding shelter availability, and addressing policy gaps to ensure survivors receive the protection and services needed to heal and rebuild their lives.

The following is an executive summary of the comprehensive report, “Conversations with Community: Domestic Violence Services in Indian Country.” The full report can be found at niwrc.org.

Summary of Findings

1. Confidentiality and Fear of Disclosure
   Confidentiality emerged as a critical challenge in delivering domestic violence services within tightly connected Tribal communities.
   “Something we have always been working on is confidentiality. It always seems to be an issue. Some people will inquire, and then they know someone who works there and don’t feel comfortable because that person knows or is related to the perpetrator.”
2. Stigma and Safety Concerns
   Participants consistently identified stigma from both community members and families as a major challenge to AI/AN survivors’ safety and healing.
   “How trauma, historical trauma, and all these things they are experiencing in their lives tie to domestic violence. A lot of families and victims treat it separately, but it is very connected. Helping them understand that whole dynamic. Being able to overcome the stigma.”
3. Limited Staff Capacity
   Participants consistently identified limited staff capacity as a major barrier to delivering comprehensive DV services in Indian Country
   “Sometimes we will get backlash from the community when we get really busy due to an influx of cases, or we don’t receive hotline calls because of a weak cell signal. We are doing our best to work around those challenges.”
4. Challenges with Collaboration
   Across interviews, participants identified collaboration, both within Tribal programs and with external agencies, as essential to addressing gaps in DV services in Indian Country.
   “There’s a local women’s shelter very close to one of our clinics, so we collaborate with them. Policies and procedures are a little different; the shelters we collaborate with have shorter stays than we do.”
5. Insufficient Shelter and Safe Housing
   Participants consistently identified shelter and safe housing as critical needs for AI/AN survivors of domestic violence, emphasizing both limited availability and barriers to access.
   “Safe housing is most urgently needed. 8 times out of 10, they do not have a safe place to go. Sometimes they say they would rather go to jail so they feel safe.”
6. Gaps in Short and Long-term Services
   Participants consistently pointed to the critical importance of both short-term and long-term services to support AI/AN survivors’ safety, stability, and well-being.
   “Empowering women to be self-confident is a big challenge. Getting them to feel empowered that you can do it on your own and you don’t need anyone else. You are your own source of strength.
7. Gaps in Engagement with Tribal Leadership
   Active engagement from Tribal leadership was consistently identified as critical to the effectiveness and sustainability of DV programs in Indian Country.
   “Tribal leaders need to hear this and listen to these conversations that advocates are having.”
8. Challenges with Tribal Justice Systems
   Participants consistently emphasized that stronger engagement with Tribal law enforcement and the court systems is essential for ensuring survivor safety and accountability.
   “When we protect the safety of our community, we are doing sovereignty work, we are upholding our sovereignty and cultural values.”
9. Limited Support for Traditional Healing
   Participants consistently pointed to the importance of integrating Native traditions into DV services while underscoring the financial barriers that limit their implementation.
   “Using the foundations of the culture we practice and comparing it to building healthy relationships. Even showing the impacts when we are not at peace or in harmony, these are what our stories tell us. If we are not in balance, these are the things that can happen.”
10. Expansion of Community Resources and Education
    Expanded education and outreach within Tribal communities were also seen as necessary to increase awareness of Tribal DV services and reduce stigma.
    “When victims come in, they come in as half a shell, and our job is to fill those cracks to make them whole again. So you need to talk with them, sell the program to them, and tell them what we can do. People are not asking for that type of help because we’ve never offered that before. For me, it is just us getting out there to do the best for our community. Domestic violence is not going away, unfortunately.”

Recommendations

To strengthen the national response to domestic violence in AI/AN communities, the following recommendations emphasize sustainability, Tribal sovereignty, and the importance of Tribal-led service delivery.

The Conversation with Community discussions highlighted the persistent challenges AI/AN survivors face, including limited shelter access, confidentiality challenges, stigma, staffing shortages, and gaps in law enforcement and leadership engagement. Despite these challenges, participants emphasized the vital role of Tribal DV programs, which provide survivor-centered, traditionally grounded services that reflect the strength and sovereignty of Tribal communities. Reinforcing these programs requires sustained and flexible federal investment, expanded Tribal set-asides, and support for Tribal-led solutions that integrate traditional knowledge and trauma-informed care.

Continued and Expanded Funding Support

Increasing funding allocations and establishing permanent funding for key programs will reduce service gaps and ensure that traditionally-appropriate, life-saving services are accessible where they are most needed.

Expand and Sustain Funding for Tribal shelters and Safe Housing

Adequate, sustainable funding is essential to meet the urgent need for safe, approachable, and traditionally responsive shelter services in Indian Country.

Interagency Collaboration and National Resources

Strengthen partnerships among Tribal programs, healthcare providers, child welfare agencies, and national organizations. Support access to foundational, self-paced trainings, toolkits, and technical assistance to build Tribal capacity, improve service coordination, and ensure traditionally responsive, trauma-informed care across Indian Country.

Tribal Leadership and Justice System Engagement

Develop structured collaboration between Tribal DV programs, Tribal leadership, and Tribal law enforcement through ongoing training, trauma-informed care, and awareness initiatives.

Enhance Community Awareness and Youth Prevention Programs

Utilize national and local resources to provide education, mentorship, and life skills training for AI/AN youth, families, and communities.

Conclusion

The Conversation with Community discussions highlighted the persistent challenges AI/AN survivors face, including limited shelter access, confidentiality challenges, stigma, staffing shortages, and gaps in law enforcement and leadership engagement. Despite these challenges, participants emphasized the vital role of Tribal DV programs, which provide survivor-centered, traditionally grounded services that reflect the strength and sovereignty of Tribal communities. Reinforcing these programs requires sustained and flexible federal investment, expanded Tribal set-asides, and support for Tribal-led solutions that integrate traditional knowledge and trauma-informed care.