Many considerations must be addressed when understanding the unique needs of victims in tribal communities. Tribal communities hold strong to their cultural beliefs, practices, and traditions, as well as having their own governing systems and legal frameworks. Once there is an openness to see past the historical trauma due to colonization, forced assimilation, and other systemic injustices, specialized approaches are created for healing and support. When addressing victim services, it is important to understand that services and resources vary among tribal communities. Certain tribes do not possess the financial means and resources to offer services to their community members adequately.
To have a comprehensive understanding of the services available in a particular community, it is critical to establish direct engagement with each specific tribal government, organization, and/or advocate. Another huge focus in providing services and meeting the needs of these tribal communities is understanding the significant role of each spoken language. Victims need to fully understand the supports and services provided to them in their native language whenever possible to ensure participation, effective communication, and access to resources. Numerous mainstream victim service organizations work together with tribal communities to offer extensive support. These collaborations entail conducting joint training, coordinating services, and reciprocal assistance in addressing the distinct needs of victims.
Pathway to Hope: an indigenous approach to healing child sexual abuse (PTH) is a program focused at ending silence and denial related to child sexual abuse and encourages multigenerational healing. “The PTH program was designed by and for AN people with a goal of drawing from wisdom and values that have sustained Native people for generations, including spiritual beliefs and practice, shared responsibility for the wellbeing of others and resiliency in overcoming adversity while adapting to changing times. These strengths and the desire to stop the pain of abuse, while ending silence and denial about child sexual abuse have helped numerous Indigenous communities begin this part of the journey toward wellness. Through this “training of tribal community facilitators” individuals and communities have taken steps to accept the challenges associated with establishing safety for children, assuring there is support to aid child victims in healing and to hold offenders accountable. (Payne et al., 2013)”
Payne, D., Olson, K., & Parrish, J. W. (2013). Pathway to Hope: an indigenous approach to healing child sexual abuse. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 72(1), 21067. https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v72i0.21067
