Violence Prevention
The effects of colonization and assimilation practices in Canada have deeply impacted and changed Aboriginal societies resulting in devastating outcomes for Aboriginal women who experience extreme marginalization and suffer from inequalities related to their social, economic, cultural, political and civil rights. These outcomes place Aboriginal women at greater risk for violent actions committed against them thereby making this segment of the population the most vulnerable. As the only National Aboriginal organization solely responsible for Aboriginal women, NWAC is committed to addressing violence and Aboriginal women.
The Challenge
The Stolen Sisters report (Amnesty International) states that Aboriginal women aged 25-44 are 5 times more likely than other Canadian women of the same age to die of violence. The 2004 General Social Survey found that Aboriginal women are three times more likely than non-Aboriginal women to suffer violence, including serious forms of life-threatening violence and emotional abuse at the hands of a marital or common-law partner. NWAC research through the Sisters In Spirit initiative has found that approximately 520 Aboriginal women have been murdered or reported missing over the past 15 years.
The Program
With over 35 years of experience dedicated towards Aboriginal women NWAC is well positioned to work towards the development of policy and programs that aim to reduce the prevalence of violence committed against Aboriginal women. High rates of violence are concerning, given that few individuals and families experience violence as an isolated incident. Often, different forms of violence, such as domestic violence, child abuse, sexual violence, and suicidal behaviour, take place concurrently within the same home. The NWAC’s health unit maintains a focus towards the impacts of violence on Aboriginal women and their families and the linkages that result in negative impacts on their health status.
The Opportunity
According to the 2006 Census the female Aboriginal population is very young, with 28% of Aboriginal females under 15 years of age, compared to 16% for the non-Aboriginal female population. Current statistics indicate that Aboriginal women comprise 51% of the Aboriginal population and that the trend towards educational attainment is increasing: 36% of Aboriginal women over 15 had completed a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree (2006 Census). Although the statistics on violence committed towards Aboriginal women is high, NWAC remains optimistic that these trends will decrease in the future as awareness and prevention efforts continue, and as more knowledge is gained to better understand the circumstances, root causes and trends.