Indigenous Women and Professionals’ Proposed Solutions to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence in Tribal Communities

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to unveil Indigenous women and professionals’ proposed solutions to prevent and ameliorate the disproportionate rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by U.S. Indigenous women. Reconstructive analysis of interview data from 29 adult Indigenous women who had experienced IPV and 20 professionals who work with those affected by IPV revealed the following themes: (a) increasing community engagement and awareness, (b) bolstering the existing service system, (c) enhancing competency and professional training, (d) child-focused prevention and education strategies, and (e) family-focused interventions. Recommendations provided alternative approaches to ameliorating and preventing IPV in Indigenous contexts.

KEYWORDS:

• American Indian
• Indigenous
• interventions
• intimate partner violence
• Native American
• women

Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledge the integral contributions from participants and community members who made this article possible.

Funding

This work was supported by the Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation Doctoral Dissertation Grant Program [grant number 500-11-1340-00000-18905800-20]; the University of Iowa Executive Council of Graduate and Professional Students Research Grant; the University of Iowa School of Social Work Dissertation Travel Grant; and Tulane/Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation Doctoral Dissertation Grant Program [grant number 500-11-1340-00000-18905800-20]; the University of Iowa Executive Council of Graduate and Professional Students Research Grant; the University of Iowa School of Social Work Dissertation Travel Grant; and Tulane/Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research.