Implementation of Empowerment Self-Defense among Indigenous Populations in the United States and Canada

• In Event: Empowerment Approaches to Preventing Sexual Violence in Indigenous Communities

Abstract

Despite the high rates of sexual violence among Indigenous peoples, there is limited research on how to prevent sexual violence within Indigenous communities. One promising approach to prevent sexual violence among Indigenous girls and women as well as Two Spirit Indigenous peoples is empowerment self-defense (ESD). ESD is a sexual violence prevention approach that aims to empower rather than restrict women/girls in their resistance to violence. More specifically, ESD transforms women/girls understanding of their bodies, explicitly holds perpetrators responsible, and provides a comprehensive self-defense toolbox. This presentation provides an overview of ESD programs that have been implemented with Indigenous populations in the U.S. and Canada. Preliminary evidence shows that culturally adapted ESD programs are an acceptable and effective tool to reduce sexual violence among Indigenous girls. Findings highlight the benefits of culturally adapted prevention efforts that align with Indigenous feminist values in combating sexual violence among Indigenous populations. Future rigorous research is needed to evaluate ESD among diverse Indigenous populations to better understand for whom and why it works to prevent sexual violence among a structurally minoritized yet highly resilient population.

Authors

• Ramona Herrington, University of Nebraska-Lincoln / Oglala Sioux Tribe

• Katie M. Edwards, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Stephanie Lim, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Steven Wilson, University of Nebraska / Oglala Sioux Tribe