2.5.7 Indigenous and Native Survivors

There are several challenges that survivors from indigenous and native communities potentially face when seeking medical treatment after sexual assault.

Survivors may experience pressure to avoid reporting the sexual assault, leaving them feeling helpless and hopeless.

Indigenous and native populations are often small and survivors may not be sure where to turn for help and may worry over confidentiality.

There may be a language barrier if the survivor’s primary language is not the one spoken by you or the health service providers.

Geographical isolation in remote and rural areas may also keep them from seeking help.

Financial constraints may make it difficult for survivors to leave their communities to find health treatment.

Survivors who wish to speak up face the possibility of intimidation by, and fear of, the perpetrator or the perpetrator’s family as well as other members of the community.

The lack of sufficient health services in various indigenous and native communities is another challenge that survivors encounter, as they often have limited options when seeking help.

When working with indigenous or native populations, it’s important to understand the historical trauma these groups have faced and how those experiences shape their current cultures as well as their reaction to seeking health services.