Barriers Faced by American Indian Women in Urban Wisconsin in Seeking Help Following an Experience of Intimate Partner Violence

Violence Against Women. 2023 Sep;29(11):2080-2103. doi: 10.1177/10778012221132304. Epub 2022 Oct 17.

Abstract

American Indian1 (AI) women experience high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and face many barriers when help-seeking. This study aims to understand better the context of IPV and help-seeking behaviors for urban AI women after experiences with IPV. Postcolonial and Indigenous feminist frameworks framed this critical ethnography study. Semistructured interviews with 34 AI IPV survivors2 living in Wisconsin urban areas were conducted. Our findings highlight context-specific structural barriers to help-seeking after experiences of IPV heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Context-specific and survivor-led interventions are necessary to address and reduce barriers that urban AI women face.

Keywords: American Indian; barriers; domestic violence; help-seeking; intimate partner violence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • American Indian or Alaska Native / statistics & numerical data
  • COVID-19*
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American* / statistics & numerical data
  • Intimate Partner Violence* / ethnology
  • Intimate Partner Violence* / statistics & numerical data
  • Pandemics
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care* / ethnology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care* / statistics & numerical data
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Wisconsin / epidemiology