Child Abuse Prevention Month- April 2019
Anna Clough, JD
April is child abuse prevention month. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in coordination with numerous partners has presented resources for communities and organizations to address child abuse. The Tribal Youth Resource Center in partnership with the National Native Children’s Trauma Center supports OJJDP tribal grantees and federally recognized tribes as they work to develop system strategies to support tribal youth. We are continually working toward our mission to “enhance the opportunities for indigenous communities to expand their potential in protecting and nurturing their most sacred asset- the youth.”
Addressing child abuse and neglect in Tribal communities is essential. The National Indian Child Welfare Association notes that “while access to data is limited- child abuse and neglect is a problem in every tribal community- one that has been exacerbated by lack of resources and the failure of larger systems outside Indian Country to empower Tribes.” (Cross and Simmons, 2016). Functionally, broader issues such as historic governmental policies, lack of resources, violence, trauma, and other factors increase the likelihood of American Indian/Alaska native youth to suffer abuse and harm. According to the 2014 Attorney General’s Advisory Committee report, Ending Violence so Children can Thrive, “despite leadership from tribal governments, parents and families, domestic violence in the homes of American Indian/Alaska Native children and physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect of children is more common than in the general population.”
While system change can take time, there are resources to support communities with the development of comprehensive strategies to address child abuse and neglect. Please see a list of available resources available through the Tribal Law and Policy Institute, the National Native Children’s Trauma Center, and coordinating programs that offer training specific to child welfare. Our supportive staff can assist youth with questions or follow up regarding any of the listed resources. Tribal grantees and other federally recognized tribes may reach out at any time for supportive training, resources, and information. Just fill out a training request form, available here: https://www.tribalyouthprogram.org/about-us/training-request-form/
Check out these resources:
Tribal Law and Policy Institute, Publications, Child Abuse and Neglect: https://www.home.tlpi.org/child-abuse-and-neglect-publications
Tribal Law and Policy Institute, Publications, Child Welfare Series from the Capacity Building Center for Tribes:
https://www.home.tlpi.org/center-for-tribes-publications
Tribal Court Clearinghouse Resources:
Topic: Child Abuse and Neglect
http://www.tribal-institute.org/lists/child.htm
Topic: Children Exposed to Violence
http://www.tribal-institute.org/lists/cev.htm
Tribal Information Exchange, Capacity Building Center for Tribes:
https://tribalinformationexchange.org/
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Tribes:
http://www.nrc4tribes.org/about-us.cfm
National Native Children’s Trauma Center:
https://www.nnctc.org/
Attorney General’s Advisory Committee on American Indian/Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence: Ending Violence so Children Can Thrive: This report presents the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee policy recommendations on the current epidemic of violence and evaluated suggestions for preventing violence and alleviating its impact on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children. November 2014.
Sources:
- Cross et al., Effective Leadership for Tribal Child Welfare- An Overview for Tribal Leaders, National Indian Child Welfare Association, 2016.
- White Eagle et al., Responses to the Co-Occurrence of Child Maltreatment and Domestic Violence in Indian Country: Repairing the Harm and Protecting Children and Mothers, Tribal Law and Policy Institute, Draft 2011.
- Attorney General’s Advisory Committee on American Indian/Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence: Ending Violence so Children Can Thrive, November 2014.
