Violence Against Native American Women in the United States

Abstract

In response to the topic of Global Justice and Human Rights: Country Case Studies, I will discuss the origin and continuation of violence against Native American women in the United States. In a report named Maze of Injustice: The Failure to Protect Indigenous Women from Violence by Amnesty International, the organization deemed the current status of violence against indigenous women one of the most pervasive yet hidden human rights abuses. The U.S Department of Justice has found that Native American and Native Alaskan women are 2.5 times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted. During an International Expert Group Meeting discussing Combatting Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs declared it a human rights issue of epidemic proportions. One in three Native American women are raped and three in five are physically assaulted. In reference to interracial violence, four out of five Native American victims of sexual assault reported that the perpetrator was white. Unfortunately due to the shame and stigma surrounding topics such as sexual assault and rape it is estimated that in reality these numbers are far higher. Scholars and historians of pre-colonial Native societies have found that during this period women held prominent positions and violence against women was rare. With colonization came a radical change to the role of women in Native society. Gender based violence and the exclusion of women in important positions was a powerful tool used by British settlers to dismantle the structures of native society and ultimately conquer it. Presently, due to the inadequate legal power given to Indian nations the crisis is not being dealt with efficiently. For example, Indian nations are unable to prosecute non-Indian offenders. In my discussion of violence against Native women in the United States I will begin by analyzing its colonial origins. Next I will discuss why this violence persists today with reference to laws and judicial processes. Finally, I will discuss what must be done to end these human rights abuses.