Help-Seeking and Service Use in Response to Interpersonal Victimization Among Indigenous Peoples Attending College in the U.S.
摘要
Indigenous Peoples (Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native) 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’ interpersonal victimization experiences, their help-seeking behaviors, and service utilization.
MethodsThe current study is the first known examination of Indigenous students’ help-seeking, both on- and off-campus, in response to their interpersonal victimization experiences. We conducted a 41-question survey of 95 Indigenous college students in the U.S. and interviewed a subset of 16 participants using a semi-structured format.
ResultsSurvey participants revealed high prevalence of interpersonal victimization (82%; n = 71) and victimization of those within students’ household (66%; n = 57), yet relatively low utilization of on-campus services (20%; n = 19). Interview participants identified several themes in regard to their service utilization including a lack of awareness of services, inaccessibility to services, and lack of cultural humility within services. Even so, Indigenous students relied on various informal and cultural methods to heal from their victimization, including traditional healing methods, participation in Indigenous ceremonies, physical exercise, and having a strong social support network.
ConclusionsFindings from the current study highlight the need for institutions of higher education to reexamine the services they offer to ensure their cultural humility and accessibility for Indigenous students who have experienced victimization.