Intertribal Life Newspaper -

AUSTIN, Texas-The StrongHearts Native Helpline (1-844-7NATIVE) has announced that 1,000 callers have now reached out to the helpline for safe, confidential support and resources for domestic violence and dating violence.

Since March 2017, the StrongHearts Native Helpline has offered a culturally-appropriate space for victims, survivors, their families and friends, service providers and abusive partners to reach out for help. As a partnered effort, StrongHearts combines the technology and infrastructure of the National Domestic Violence Hotline with the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center's policy and programmatic expertise and community connections.

"This is a key milestone in our work to support those facing intimate partner violence, though we recognize these calls are only beginning to scratch the surface of violence in Tribal communities," said StrongHearts Assistant Director Lori Jump (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians). "Every call speaks to the bravery of our people in breaking the silence of violence in our homes, families and communities. For those reaching out to StrongHearts, we hear you, and we are here for you, no matter what."

Knowledgeable about Native cultures and traditions, advocates navigate each caller's abuse situation with safety, compassion and respect. Created by and for Native American communities, StrongHearts is uniquely designed to serve a population facing some of the highest rates of domestic violence in the United States. Tribes, even as sovereign nations, face significant jurisdictional hurdles when addressing domestic violence in their communities. Gaps in culturally based supportive services create unique barriers for Native victims seeking help.

According to StrongHearts' data from its first 19 months of operations, more than 7 out of 10 victim-survivor callers reported experiencing more than one type of abuse (71 percent), including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, digital abuse, cultural abuse and other complex situations. Nearly half of callers experiencing violence reported a child involved in their situation (46 percent). The top service referral requested by victim-survivors included shelters and legal advocacy.

"Because more than four in five Native Americans experience violence in their lifetime, there is a clear need for a national, confidential and tailored resource like StrongHearts to support Native victims," said Jump. "Every call to the helpline speaks to the need for more resources for tribally run services for victims."

In 2016, the National Institute of Justice released a study indicating more than one in three American Indian and Alaska Native women and men had experienced violence within the previous year. Of those who had experienced violence, a third of Native women and one in six Native men were unable to access the supportive services they needed.

"Our advocates take calls from victims, survivors, family members and friends, service providers, youth and elders-anyone who is impacted by violence and needs help," said Jump. "Domestic violence affects everyone in our communities and each generation. We encourage anyone who needs to talk to reach out to us. Every story matters."

The StrongHearts Native Helpline, a project of the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program, is a culturally appropriate, anonymous, confidential and no-cost service dedicated to serving Native American survivors of domestic violence and dating violence, along with their concerned family members and friends. By dialing 1-844-7NATIVE (1-844-762-8483) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CST, callers can connect with advocates who can provide lifesaving tools and support to enable survivors to find safety and lives free of abuse. After hours, callers may connect with the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Learn more at http://www.strongheartshelpline.org.

This project was made possible by Grant Number 90EV0426 from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.