Total Credits: 2 including 2 American Psychological Association, 2 California Board of Registered Nurses, 2 State Bar of California, 2 California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals
There is a global movement within Indigenous communities toward decolonization (Hill, Lau, & Sue, 2010). In fact, for many Indigenous Nations Western psychology serves as a modern form of colonization perpetuating oppression and marginalization (Hill, Pace, & Robbins, 2010; Mohawk, 2004). When considering the treatment implications for Native American women who are survivors of sexual assault, as approximately 56% have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime (National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey [NISVS], 2010; Rosay, 2016). It is essential to access decolonized treatment strategies and engage trauma-informed research with these participants. In light of a recent white paper outlining a call to action acknowledging the experiences of Native American women and girls impacted by sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, sexual violence, and those who have gone missing or murdered (Ross, GreyWolf, Tehee, Henry, & Cheromiah, 2018), there is support for clinicians to become equipped with culturally-informed approaches to address the needs of Native survivors. The panel will discuss the systemic issues that can lead to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The panelists will also reflect on opportunities to implement decolonized treatment strategies with survivors of sexual assault.
Objectives:
Identify trauma-informed approaches to providing treatment to Native American survivors of sexual assault and Intimate Partner Violence.
Name 1-3 decolonizing strategies for engaging in treatment with Native American survivors of sexual assault and Intimate Partner Violence.
Julii Green, PhD is an Eastern Band Cherokee & African American Associate Professor and clinician. She has taught for seven years in the Clinical PsyD Dept. at the California School of Professional Psychology/Alliant International University (San Diego). She conducts research and advocates in the following areas: IPV, Native American women and social determinants of health; Indigenous feminist focused-mentorship, as well as strategies for recruitment/retention/and assist with the matriculation of ethnically diverse graduate psychology students.
Royleen J. Ross, PhD, currently serves as the Society of Indian Psychologists Secretary, on the American Psychological Association (APA) Health Equity Committee, and is involved in other projects related to the intersectionality between mental health and law enforcement in Indian Country, attributed in part to her former career experience as an FBI Special Agent and New Mexico State Police Sergeant. Her professional interests include policy development, social justice, advocacy at the tribal and federal levels, and the advancement of mental health for Indigenous Peoples.