More than four of every five Native women (and men) in the U.S. have experienced violence, a 2016 National Institute for Justice study found, and the National Crime Information Center reported more than 30,000 missing Native Americans in 2019.
Brenda Golden, a Muscogee (Creek) citizen and attorney in Okmulgee, said the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis is another form of genocide.
Women are the life givers,” she said. “If you cut off that form of life, it stops our tribes from growing. Our lineage. Our heritage. It not only cuts off our lives, but future generations.”
- Murder is the 3rd leading cause of death for Indigenous Women (Centers for Disease Control).
- More than 4 out of 5 Indigenous Women have experienced violence (84.3%) (National Institute of Justice Report).
- More than half Indigenous Women experience sexual violence (56.1%).
- More than half Indigenous Women have been physically abused by their intimate partners (55.5 percent).
- Indigenous Women are 1.7 times more likely than Anglo-American women to experience violence.
- Indigenous Women are 2xs more likely to be raped than Anglo-American white women.
- Murder rate of Indigenous Women is 3xs higher than Anglo-American women.
- Indigenous Women (girls +) murdered is 10x higher than all other ethnicities
https://www.nativewomenswilderness.org/mmiw
Resources
The following resources may be useful to both victims and their loved ones:
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483
- National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center: 1-855-649-7299
- Coalition to StViolence Against Native Womenop: 1-505-243-919
- Native American coalitions: https://www.niwrc.org/tribal-coalitions
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
- National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 866-331-9474
