Domestic Violence Department

About

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic abuse, also called "domestic violence" or "intimate partner violence," can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together, or dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith, or class.

Victims of domestic abuse may also include a child or other relative, or any other household member.

Domestic abuse is typically manifested as a pattern of abusive behavior toward an intimate partner in a dating or family relationship, where the abuser exerts power and control over the victim.

Domestic abuse can be mental, physical, economic, or sexual in nature. Incidents are rarely isolated, and usually escalate in frequency and severity. Domestic abuse may culminate in serious physical injury or death.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Victimization rates are higher for American Indians and Alaska Natives.  Most American Indian and Alaska Native adults are victims of violence. More than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native adults (83 percent) have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime. That’s almost 3 million people who have experienced psychological aggression or physical violence by intimate partners, stalking, or sexual violence. Men and women are victimized at similar rates but in different ways. American Indian and Alaska Native women and men have been victimized at similar rates (84.3 percent for women and 81.6 percent for men). They have experienced similar levels of psychological aggression and physical violence by intimate partners. But women have experienced significantly higher levels of sexual violence (56.1 percent versus 27.5 percent for men) and stalking (48.8 percent versus 18.6 percent for men).

Providing confidential advocacy for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, including crisis intervention and supportive services.

The Native Women’s Resource Program is committed to working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking to prevent abuse and harassment from occurring in the community. Our program will provide appropriate support and assistance to victims, this includes maintaining confidentiality to the greatest extent possible for coming forward for help, resource and referrals that include victim advocacy, emergency shelter placement, medical, counseling, and legal referrals when needed.

CONTACT

Shyanne Boston

Domestic Violence Program Director

760-651-5171

Evalina Chavez

Domestic Violence Victim Advocate

760-651-5217

​spnwrc@sanpasqualtribe.org