Notes on Violence Against Aboriginal Women

Overview of Violence Against Aboriginal Women

  • Aboriginal women and girls are integral parts of society, embodying strength and beauty.
  • Concerns about the high number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada have been persistent.
  • As of March 31, 2010, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) reported 582 cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

Statistics on Violence

  • Aboriginal women experience significantly higher rates of violence compared to non-Aboriginal women:

    • General Violence: Aboriginal women (15 years and older) are 3.5 times more likely to experience violence.
    • Spousal Assault: Rates of spousal assault against Aboriginal women are over three times higher.
    • Spousal Violence Experience: Nearly 25% of Aboriginal women faced spousal violence in the five years leading up to a 2004 survey.

  • Severe Forms of Violence:

    • 54% of Aboriginal women reported experiencing severe family violence (e.g., being beaten, choked, or sexually assaulted) compared to 37% of non-Aboriginal women.
    • 44% feared for their lives when subjected to severe family violence, higher than the 33% of non-Aboriginal women.
    • 27% of Aboriginal women experienced 10 or more assaults by the same offender, compared to 18% of non-Aboriginal women.
    • Violence against Aboriginal women has remained consistent, with no decline in reported severe forms of violence from 1999 to 2004.

Research Gaps

  • The prevalent research largely focuses on family violence, neglecting other forms such as violence from strangers or acquaintances.
  • Limited data from Statistics Canada hampers accurate reporting on sexual assaults against Aboriginal women.
  • No national tracking of missing persons, making comparisons between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women difficult.

Homicide Rates

  • Aboriginal women face significantly higher homicide rates:
    • From 1997-2000, homicide rates for Aboriginal females were almost seven times higher than their non-Aboriginal counterparts.
    • The sex trade contributes to heightened vulnerability; 171 women involved in prostitution were killed in Canada from 1991-2004, with 45% of those cases unsolved.
    • Aboriginal women aged 25-44 with Indian status are five times more likely to die from violence than other women.
    • Unsolved homicide cases involving Aboriginal women: 53% remain unsolved versus 16% of all murder cases in Canada.

Underreporting of Violence

  • Community-based research highlights that violence against Aboriginal women exceeds government-reported statistics.
  • Government data reflects only reported incidents, with estimates suggesting that approximately 60% of violent crimes against Aboriginal people go unreported.
  • Inconsistent police tracking and lack of standard policies obstruct accurate data collection on violence against Aboriginal peoples.

Key Organizations and Reports

  • The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is the primary national source of data regarding missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
  • Reports to reference:
    • Amnesty International Canada: "Stolen Sisters: Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada".
    • NWAC: "Sisters In Spirit initiative literature review".
    • Statistics Canada publications: Provide statistical insights into the rates of violence and homicide in Canada.