October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October 17, 2016

By: Mary Smith, Principal Deputy Director, Indian Health Service

Domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem that can have devastating effects on individuals, families and communities. American Indians and Alaska Natives experience rape, physical violence and stalking by an intimate partner at higher rates than the general U.S. population, however the impact of IPV is not fully appreciated as social barriers such as privacy, guilt, shame and fear inhibit reporting rates.
The Presidential Proclamation naming October 2016 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month supports healing from domestic violence and states that "we must ensure that survivors and their families have access to the resources, care and support they need to do so." The White House has established a new North American Working Group on Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls and the Indian Health Service (IHS) was pleased to participate in the first meeting of this working group which occurred at the White House on October 14, 2016.
READ MORE: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month