Addressing domestic violence, abuse, and neglect among Native Alaskan families through training and education

Domestic violence is such a prevalent problem for native Alaskan families that few have been spared the impact. During 2001, there were 7,271 reported cases of domestic violence, with Alaska Native women victims 4.5 times more often than non-Native women. Alaska has six times the national average of reported child abuse cases. The health, behavioral, and social consequences of domestic violence in Alaska are enormous, ranging from eating disorders and developmental delay to substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, criminal behavior and arrests, and self-mutilation. The Family Wellness Warriors Initiative is a culturally competent training and education program that addresses the core issues of domestic violence, abuse, and neglect from legal, spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical disciplines. This program is located within the Southcentral Foundation, a regional health corporation established under tribal authority to improve the health and well-being of Alaska Natives and American Indians. The purpose of this project is to work with Alaska Native Councils, grassroots community leaders, the faith community, and social service agencies to develop and distribute curricula, manuals, directories, culturally relevant faith-based posters, brochures, promotional videos, broadcast audio tapes, and advertising media that deal with the effects of abuse and promote well-being. The project will be considered successful if it increases awareness in the community and breaks the silence that surrounds issues of domestic violence, thereby creating better health outcomes and social stability in families and communities.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $323,000.00

Awarded on: 11/22/2004

Time frame: 12/1/2004 - 11/30/2006

Grant Number: 51870