Child Sexual Abuse among Indigenous Populations: Distinctions in Abuse Patterns and Institutional Response

Racial and ethnic discrimination --- through mediating factors such as poverty, substance abuse, lack of opportunity and poor housing --- place indigenous children at great risk of child sexual abuse (CSA). They are also less... [ view full abstract ]

Racial and ethnic discrimination --- through mediating factors such as poverty, substance abuse, lack of opportunity and poor housing --- place indigenous children at great risk of child sexual abuse (CSA). They are also less likely to receive equitable treatment from institutions mandated to protect children and to promote justice when abuse occurs.  Even though CSA is a serious violent crime, we have little systematic information concerning the patterns of abuse of indigenous children, or the processes and outcomes in their country’s civil and criminal justice systems.

 The objective of this presentation is to promote awareness of the distinctions between indigenous and dominant populations concerning the nature of CSA abuse and the engagement of victims and justice professionals.  I present differences in CSA among native and non-native populations in the United States using a quantitative analysis comparing 459 investigations involving indigenous children in federally-designated Indian Country, 237 incidents involving indigenous children outside of Indian Country, and 3818 incidents involving non-native children off Indian lands.  Significant differences exist in indigenous victim-offender relations that are not age sensitive in the manner of non-indigenous cases.  Government service agencies more often conclude that indigenous families cannot protect their children, but provide limited support.  Indigenous CSA cases are less likely to result in investigation and prosecution, associated with the investigator’s lack of knowledge of indigenous cultures and motivation to engage in these cases, and the child and family’s mistrust and limited engagement in the investigation.  Research concerning indigenous groups in Canada, Australia, and Southeast Asia is used to generalize these findings.  What child justice and protection that does occur varies, but usually is provided by social mechanisms within the indigenous group itself.  I conclude that cultural, social, and political influences determine the degree of protection and justice afforded to indigenous victims of CSA.