Working with Native Women and Child survivors of Sexual Assault

August 10, 2009 |
Valor

Were you aware that…

  • National News reports that One in Three Native American women have suffered from a sexual assault. (2007)
  • Native Women are 2.5 times more likely to be sexually assaulted in their lifetime as other women in the U.S. according to Amnesty International
  • At least 89% of reported rapes or other sexual assaults against Indigenous women are committed by non-Indian men who are rarely prosecuted or punished, according to the “Maze of Justice: Failure to Protect Indigenous Women from Sexual Violence in the USA.”

California has the largest tribal population in the United States, with 689,120 Native Americans living throughout the State, followed by Oklahoma (313,500) and Arizona (334,381). There are 107 federally recognized and 50 unrecognized tribes in California and about 250 tribal languages, most of which are only written. With such a large number of tribes and tribal communities in California, it is important that as rape crisis center advocates, we are aware of the tribal communities in our areas as well as what, if any, tribal victim service agencies currently exist for Native American survivors of sexual assault.
That is why CALCASA has been working closely with the Inter-Tribal Council of California, Inc. (ITCC) to help non-tribal and tribal victim service agencies collaborate to provide the most relevant and culturally appropriate services to Native women and children who are survivors of sexual assault. Besides facilitating a day-long workshop during CALCASA’s 2009 Annual Leadership Conference, we are working with ITCC to provide advocates more training and collaborative opportunities for advocates in the field. Be sure to keep an eye out for future collaborations between CALCASA and ITCC!