Violence against native women is not traditional.
Like most people struggling with domestic violence, native women have many reasons for staying in—or staying quiet about—abusive situations: fear of more, or worse, beatings; lack of money or a safe place to go; concern about losing children; fear of being alone.
But, we understand that native women may have other barriers that can make abusive situations even more complex – realities that can make it hard to talk to someone about what’s going on or to reach out for help and support.
As a sovereign nation, the Penobscot Indian Nation has its own legal and social services, institutions, and practices:
- Complex social and/or kinship ties can either enhance or compromise your safety planning—and sometimes do both at the same time.
- Belief systems and spirituality offer comfort, hope, strength, and healing. But some ideas can be twisted by other people and used to convince you to stay in – or put up with—a destructive and painful relationship.
- Centuries of racism can present you with additional challenges.
We work to understand how these issues play out in daily life, so we’re able to help you with safety planning and domestic violence prevention.
Partners for Peace is working with the Penobscot Nation to:
- Increase the safety of women within the Penobscot Indian Nation.
- Expand the Nation’s ability to hold abusers accountable for their actions.
- Increase domestic abuse services and community awareness initiatives that reflect the experiences and culture of native women.
- Offer flexible and creative safety planning to increase the sovereignty of native women.
We offer native and non-native assistance in both tribal and non tribal venues. Please call our free, confidential helpline at 1.800.863.9909. We’re ready to listen and to help you find support.