Domestic violence in Native communities is focus of new survey – ictnews.org

Report on Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Indigenous Women in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Public Health Crisis Intersecting with Global Goals

A significant public health crisis has been identified concerning the prevalence of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women resulting from domestic and sexual violence. In response, the Urban Indian Health Institute has initiated a first-of-its-kind national survey to document the extent of this issue. This report analyzes the crisis through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the direct impact on health, gender equality, and social justice for Indigenous communities.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The high incidence of TBIs among Indigenous survivors of violence represents a severe challenge to achieving good health and well-being for all. The health consequences are profound and often overlooked by clinical systems.

• Physical and Cognitive Symptoms: Survivors frequently experience memory loss, confusion, and dementia-like symptoms as a direct result of abuse, including blows to the head, falls, and strangulation.
• Long-Term Health Risks: These injuries can lead to long-term behavioral changes and an increased risk of dementia, severely impacting a survivor’s quality of life.
• Gaps in Healthcare: There is a documented need for improved training for medical staff to conduct TBI assessments, as many cases go unrecognized and undiagnosed in clinical settings despite survivors presenting with clear psychological and cognitive symptoms.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

Violence against Indigenous women is a fundamental barrier to achieving gender equality. The targeted nature of this violence and its consequences underscore the urgent need for action to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

1. Disproportionate Rates of Violence: Statistics confirm that Indigenous women are overrepresented in intimate partner violence, with 55% reporting such experiences. A 2020 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly 44% of American Indian and Alaska Native women had been raped in their lifetime.
2. Intentional Disablement: Reports indicate that abusers may intentionally inflict TBIs to disable their victims, making it more difficult for them to leave abusive situations or maintain custody of their children.
3. Community-Wide Impact: The violence and resulting health issues affect not only the individual survivors but also their children and the entire community, perpetuating cycles of trauma and instability.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The issue of TBIs in this population is a stark manifestation of the deep-seated inequalities faced by Indigenous communities. Addressing this crisis is essential for reducing inequalities and ensuring that no one is left behind.

• Lack of Research and Data: Despite tribal health advocates’ long-standing awareness, there has been a significant lack of national, Indigenous-led research documenting the prevalence of TBIs, leading to a lack of public awareness and targeted resources.
• Systemic Underreporting: Even when survivors seek medical help, their injuries are often underreported, contributing to a systemic failure to grasp the full scale of the problem.
• Intergenerational Trauma: The disproportionate rates of violence are linked to long-term, intergenerational traumas resulting from colonization and forced assimilation, which are critical precursors to the current crisis.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The failure to adequately address violence against Indigenous women and its health consequences points to weaknesses in existing justice and health institutions. Building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions is paramount to providing justice for survivors.

• Need for Institutional Capacity Building: The national survey aims to generate crucial data to guide clinicians, inform policy, and direct resources, thereby strengthening the institutional response to this crisis.
• Challenges in Access to Justice: Funding delays for essential services, such as grants from the U.S. Office on Violence Against Women, weaken the support systems available to survivors and hinder access to justice.
• Promoting Inclusive Solutions: The initiative, led by Indigenous health researchers, emphasizes the importance of community-led efforts to develop culturally competent and effective interventions that promote safety and justice for Indigenous women.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article extensively discusses the severe health consequences of domestic violence, specifically traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that lead to memory loss, dementia-like symptoms, and long-term behavioral changes. It frames violence as a “public health crisis” and highlights the need for better healthcare responses, such as improved training for clinicians and proper diagnostic procedures like brain scans for survivors.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality: The core subject of the article is violence against women, specifically American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women. It details the prevalence of intimate partner violence, domestic abuse, and sexual assault within these communities, which is a primary focus of SDG 5.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article repeatedly emphasizes the disproportionate impact of violence on a specific demographic group. It states that Native women are “overrepresented in intimate partner violence statistics” and that research and resources for this specific community are lacking compared to other populations, pointing directly to inequalities in health and safety outcomes based on ethnicity.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article touches upon the failure of systems to protect Native women by mentioning the “crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.” This points to a need for justice and stronger institutions to prevent violence and ensure accountability. The mention of federal funding delays for the Office on Violence Against Women also relates to the institutional support required to combat these issues.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
  • The article connects directly to this target by discussing the long-term health impacts of violence, such as TBIs that can lead to dementia and other cognitive and behavioral changes, which fall under promoting well-being and preventing long-term health conditions.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
  • This is the most central target, as the article’s entire focus is on domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault experienced by Native women. The new survey mentioned aims to document the extent of this violence.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
  • The article highlights a severe form of social exclusion and vulnerability based on ethnicity and gender. The disproportionate rates of violence against Native women demonstrate a profound inequality that prevents their full and safe inclusion in society.
• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
  • The reference to the “disproportionate number of Native women and girls are murdered or go missing” directly relates to this target, which aims to reduce violent deaths.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators:

1. Prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): The article explicitly states that the Urban Indian Health Institute has launched a “first-of-its-kind national survey” to “determine the prevalence of brain injuries in Native survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.” This survey will generate a direct indicator.
2. Proportion of women experiencing intimate partner violence: The article provides a specific statistic that serves as an indicator: “Fifty-five percent [of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women] report experiencing intimate partner violence.”
3. Proportion of women experiencing sexual violence: A clear indicator is cited from a 2020 CDC survey: “nearly 44% of American Indian and Alaska Native women reported being raped in their lifetime.”
4. Number of victims of intentional homicide: This is implied through the discussion of the “crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.” Tracking these numbers would be a direct indicator of progress toward Target 16.1.
5. Access to and quality of healthcare services for survivors: An indicator is implied through the anecdote of a survivor who did not receive a TBI assessment or brain scan despite her symptoms. The call for more training for hospital staff suggests that the current level of specialized care is a measurable gap.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ictnews.org