Indigenous College Students' Help-Seeking and Service Use in Response to Their Victimization

• In Event: Facilitators and Barriers to Help-Seeking In Response to Victimization

Abstract

Indigenous Peoples have experienced violent victimization for generations, dating back to the beginning of colonization, and continuing into present day. Yet, limited knowledge exists about Indigenous college students’ victimization experiences, their help-seeking behaviors, and service utilization. The current study is the first known examination of Indigenous students’ help-seeking, both on- and off-campus, in response to their victimization. Original data collected from a survey of 95 Indigenous college students revealed a high prevalence of personal victimization (82%; n=71) and victimization of those within students’ households (66%; n=57), yet relatively low utilization of on-campus services (20%; n=19). Additionally, interview data from a subset of 16 of the survey participants identified several barriers to service utilization. Participants identified several themes regarding their service utilization including a lack of awareness of services, inaccessibility to services, and lack of cultural competency within services. Indigenous students relied on various informal and cultural methods to heal from their victimization, including traditional healing, participation in Indigenous ceremonies, physical exercise, and having a strong support network. Findings from the current study highlight the need for universities to reexamine the services they offer to ensure their cultural competency and accessibility for Indigenous students who have experienced victimization.

Authors

• Kayleigh Stanek, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

• Kathleen A. Fox, Arizona State University

• Cassie L. Harvey, Arizona State University

• Christopher Sharp, Arizona State University