Violence at the Intersections of Women’s Lives in an Urban Context: Indigenous Women’s Experiences of Leaving and/or Staying With an Abusive Partner

Abstract

This article is based on an ethnographic study exploring Indigenous women’s experiences of leaving intimate partner violence. Analysis draws attention to the contextual features of Indigenous women’s lives that differentially shaped women’s experiences of “leaving and/or staying” with an abusive partner. Our findings are identified and described across four intersecting thematic areas: (a) the context of state-Indigenous relations; (b) complex trauma, stigma, and discrimination; (c) kinship and ties to communities and the land; and (d) health, healing, and resistance. These findings offer valuable insights into what constitutes appropriate, safe services, and support for the Indigenous women whose lives are shaped by multiple forms of violence.

“Why I Stayed in That Relationship”: Barriers to Indigenous Women’s Ability to Leave Violent Relationships

“…Moreover, fears about the economic and logistic challenges of single parenthood were barriers for some women (NCADV, 2020b). Indeed, Indigenous women often experience economic, legal, housing, health, child custody and child welfare problems, and revictimization by the legal system after leaving IPV relationships (Smye et al, 2020). In addition to being more likely to experience postseparation violence (Pedersen et al, 2013;Smye et al, 2020), leaving is complicated since Indigenous women are intertwined with deep familial and community relationships and supports (Riel et al, 2016).…”

“…Control through the restriction of choice for women in violent relationships is one mechanism of dehumanization (Burnette, 2015a; Freire, 1996). Unlike other non-Indigenous communities, prior to colonial historical oppression, women in the focal tribes and many Indigenous communities lived in matrilineal social arrangements where women enjoyed power, status, and respect (Burnette, 2015d; Weaver, 2009; Willmon-Haque & BigFoot, 2008). Through the imposition of patriarchal colonialism (Guerrero, 2003), roles were reversed through gendered policies, impairing Indigenous women’s safety (Burnette, 2015; Weaver, 2009).…”

“…Questions about women remaining in abusive relationships, though pervasive, place focus on women rather than the sociostructural context of historical oppression that gives rise to pandemic rates of intersecting structural violence against women (Pedersen et al, 2013; Smye et al, 2020; Weaver, 2009). Weaver (2009) stated, “The root causes of violence against Native women are firmly grounded in society” (p. 1558). Due to intersecting structural violence in the forms of postcolonial racism, sexism, and classism (Brassard et al, 2015; Pedersen et al, 2013; Smye et al, 2020), Indigenous women are particularly susceptible to intimate partner violence (IPV) in the United States (National Institute of Justice, 2016).…”

Interpersonal Violence

“…Colonialism is not simply a legacy of the past for Indigenous people. Neocolonialism entails ongoing social inequality and structural violence, particularly as a consequence of the loss of land (Blagg & Anthony, 2019;Smye et al, 2021). For Indigenous women, leaving an abusive relationship might mean leaving kinship ties that sustain financial, emotional and spiritual support (Smye et al, 2021).…”

“…Neocolonialism entails ongoing social inequality and structural violence, particularly as a consequence of the loss of land (Blagg & Anthony, 2019;Smye et al, 2021). For Indigenous women, leaving an abusive relationship might mean leaving kinship ties that sustain financial, emotional and spiritual support (Smye et al, 2021). Documentary Not Just Numbers (2019) is about the Tangentyere Women's Family Safety Group in Alice Springs, a group of Indigenous women activists who work to end family violence within their community.…”