Victim Advocacy Webinar Series

In this first webinar, participants received information about the crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking as they occur in tribal communities. Presenter discussed root causes of these crimes, why they occur, the impact of these crimes on victims, and the challenges and struggles faced by victims and those impacted as seen through the eyes of an advocate.
Recording link and materials:

• Exploring root causes of violence, discussing the challenges in seeking safety and holding offenders accountable" (PDF)

• "Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence and Stalking in Tribal Communities – Exploring root causes of violence, discussing the challenges in seeking safety and holding offenders accountable" (YouTube Link)

In this webinar, participants discussed the needs of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking to include emergent needs for safety, housing, court intervention and the journey to long term needs. Participants gained broad insight into challenges that victims face, such as seeking safety, obtaining protection orders, protecting their children who may have witnessed abuse. Participants gained an understanding of critical importance of victims having access to needed legal services and resources often where tribal communities may be under resourced in providing needed legal services. Participants gained appreciation and understanding the possible lethality of situations without appropriate legal services.
Recording link and materials: 

• "Walking in the Shoes of Victims from Tribal Communities: Needs of Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence and Stalking " (PDF)

• "Walking in the Shoes of Victims from Tribal Communities: Needs of Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence and Stalking" (YouTube Link)

Presenter shared importance of better interagency coordination and collaboration and effective collaboration that respects Tribal sovereignty. Presenter shared the benefits of various teams such as Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART’s) and how services providers from all jurisdictions can come to the table for the purpose of sharing resources, information to better serve victim/survivors. Through such collaboration all parties, responders, services providers and communities can gain greater appreciation for culturally appropriate services particularly as it relates to legal assistance service delivery to advance victim safety and offender.

Recording link and materials:

• "Reaching Across Jurisdictional Boundaries to Address Victim Safety and Promote Offender Accountability - Responding to Crimes of Domestic Violene and Sexual Assault" (PDF)

• "Reaching Across Jurisdictional Boundaries to Address Victim Safety and Promote Offender Accountability – Responding to Crimes of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault" (YouTube Link)

• "A Handbook for Developing Effective MOUs for Multidisciplinary Teams Serving Tribal Communities" (PDF)