American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) Children Exposed to Violence

This page provides an overview of resources related to issues of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children exposed to violence. Primarily, this page provides information concerning the work of the Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence which was part of the Defending Childhood Initiative undertaken under the leadership of then Attorney General, Eric Holder Jr..

Defending Childhood Initiative (Initiative)

The Defending Childhood Initiative began in 2010 and focused on addressing the exposure of American children to violence as both victims and witnesses. Studies done before the Initiative uncovered how children’s exposure to violence is associated with long-term physical, psychological, and emotional harm, putting those children at higher risk of engaging in criminal behavior and becoming part of a cycle of violence. To learn more about the Initiative and the grantees’ projects, check out www.defendingchildhood.org.

National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence (Task Force)

The Task Force was part of the Attorney General’s Defending Childhood Initiative. 13 experts composed the Task Force. The Task Force conducted a series of hearings, engaged experts and advocates, and researched issues surrounding children’s exposure to violence. Their work culminated in the Report of the Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence (2012) that serves as a “blueprint for preventing children’s exposure to violence and for reducing the negative effects experienced by children exposed to violence.”

• Hearings
• Transcripts
• Full Report
• Executive Summary
• Task Force FAQs

Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence (AI/AN Task Force)

The AI/AN Task Force was announced at the 2013 White House Tribal Nations Conference as part of the Attorney General’s Defending Childhood Initiative. The creation of a AI/AN Task Force was a recommendation 1.2 from the Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence Final Report published in December 2012. A Federal Working Group and an Advisory Committee composed the AI/AN Task Force under the Advisory Committee’s Official Charter.

Report on American Indian/Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence

Based on a series of public hearings, research, and input from community members, experts, and advocates, the AI/AN Task Force advisory committee produced the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee on American Indian/Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence: Ending Violence so Children Can Thrive (2014). It provides high-level policy recommendations to address issues faced by American Indian and Alaska Native children exposed to violence.

• Full Report
• Executive Summary

Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence Hearings

1st Hearing (Bismarck, North Dakota)

News

• Attorney General Eric Holder Announces First Public Hearing of Task Force to Examine Impact of Violence on American Indian and Alaska Native Children
• First Public Hearing of the American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence Task Force Held in Bismarck, N.D.
• Associate Attorney General Tony West Delivers Remarks at the American Indian / Alaskan Native Children Exposed to Violence Hearing

Transcripts:

• Invocation, Welcome, and Introduction
• Intersection of Domestic Violence and Child Physical and Sexual Abuse in Indian Country - Lonna Hunter, Sarah Hicks, and Kastelic Darla Thiele
• Panel 1 - Child Sexual Abuse in Indian Country - Lenny Hayes, Barbara Bettelyoun, and Lisa Thompson-Heth
• Morning Public Testimony
• Panel 2 - American Indian Children Exposed to Violence in the Home Outcome - Linda Thompson, Leander Russ McDonald, and Sarah Deer
• Tony West - Associate Attorney General of the United States
• Panel 3 - Multi-Disciplinary Teams Addressing Children Exposed to Violence - Michelle Rivard Parks and Leila Kawar Goldsmith
• Panel 4 - Healing from Trauma and Programs for Children Exposed to Violence in Indian Country and Urban Communities - Deborah Painte and Cecilia Firethunder
• Afternoon Public Testimony

2nd Hearing (Phoenix, Arizona)

News

• Federal Advisory Committee Examines Juvenile Courts and Justice System Programs for American Indian Children Exposed to Violence
• Associate Attorney General Tony West Delivers Remarks at the Attorney General's Advisory Committee on American Indian/Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence Hearing

Transcripts:

• Invocation, Welcome, and Introduction
• Panel 1: Overview of American Indian Youth in Tribal, State, and Federal Juvenile Justice Systems
• Panel 2: Tribal Leaders' Panel
• Morning Public Testimony
• Panel 3: Juvenile Court Judges Panel
• Panel 4: Components of the Juvenile Justice System Impacting American Indian Youth
• Panel 5: Promising Approaches in Juvenile Justice
• Afternoon Public Testimony
• Closing Remarks

3rd Hearing (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

News:

• Advisory Committee on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence Holds Third Public Hearing

Transcripts:

• Invocation, Welcome, and Introduction
• Panel 1: Overview of Violence in Tribal Communities
• Panel 2: Keeping Our Children Connected to our Community
• Morning Public Testimony
• Panel 3: Gangs and Sex Trafficking in Urban and Rural Indian Communities
• Panel 4: Tribal Schools Facing Violence
• Panel 5: Promising Approaches
• Afternoon Public Testimony
• Closing Remarks

4th Hearing (Anchorage, Alaska)

News:

• Advisory Committee on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence Holds Final Public Hearing
• Associate Attorney Tony West Speaks at the Attorney General's Advisory Committee on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence Hearing

Transcripts:

• Invocation, Welcome, and Introduction
• Panel 1: An Overview of Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence in the Home, the Community, and Juvenile Justice System Response
• Panel 2: Tribal Leaders' Perspective Concerning Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence in the Home, Community, and Juvenile Justice System Response
• Public Testimony
• Welcoming Remarks
• Panel 3: The Role of the Court System: Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence in Home, in the Community, and Juvenile Justice Response
• Panel 4: Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence in the Home and in the Community (Child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, ICWA)
• Panel 5: Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence in the Home and in the Community
• Panel 6: Promising Approaches
• Public Testimony

Other Resources

• DefendingChildhood.org - This website was funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). It provides resources to stop child abuse and end child trauma in the United States. Information on the eight Defending Childhood Initiative communities is also provided.
• Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention – The archived Defending Childhood – Take Action to Protect Children page lists a series of one-pagers or “tips” from OJJDP and the Safe Start Center, a National Resource Center for Children’s Exposure to Violence.
• Futureswithoutviolence.org – FUTURES is a more than 30 year old organization dedicated to ending violence against women and children. The resources page contains numerous publications focused on Children, Youth & Teens.
  • Comprehensive Review of Interventions for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence (2014)
• Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime – This page hosts publications sponsored by OVC and OJP focusing on children exposed to violence. The page also links to non-government resources, FAQs, and funding opportunities.