Behind every shocking statistic lies a shattered life, as Native American individuals face violent victimization at more than double the national average—a crisis of epidemic proportions that is systematically overlooked.
Key Takeaways
- In 2010-2019, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals experienced violent victimization at a rate of 49.9 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older, more than double the national average of 21.0
- AI/AN females aged 12 or older had a violent victimization rate of 60.5 per 1,000 in 2010-2019, compared to 19.8 for white females
- Simple assault accounted for 70% of violent victimizations against AI/AN persons in 2010-2019, at a rate of 35.2 per 1,000
- AI/AN homicide victimization rate 16.5 per 100,000 for females 2016, CDC
- AI/AN males had homicide rate of 28.4 per 100,000 in 2016, highest among races
- Between 2003-2018, AI/AN women murdered at 5 times rate of white women in 71 urban counties, UIHI
- 56% of AI/AN women have experienced sexual violence in lifetime, NIJ 2016
- 1 in 3 AI/AN men experienced sexual violence, NIJ 2016 national study
- 2.2 times more likely for AI/AN women to experience rape/sexual assault than all women, CDC NISVS 2010-2012
- 61% of AI/AN women experienced intimate partner physical violence lifetime, NIJ 2016
- AI/AN women 1.7 times more likely to experience IPV rape/sexual assault than non-Hispanics, CDC NISVS
- 52% AI/AN men experienced IPV physical violence, NIJ 2016
- 50.5% of AI/AN children experienced abuse/neglect 2019, NCANDS
- AI/AN child victimization rate 15.3 per 1,000 2019, highest among races
- 2,440 AI/AN child fatalities from abuse/neglect 2015-2019, NCANDS
Native Americans face disproportionately high rates of violence, often from non-Native offenders.
Child Abuse and Neglect
- 50.5% of AI/AN children experienced abuse/neglect 2019, NCANDS
- AI/AN child victimization rate 15.3 per 1,000 2019, highest among races
- 2,440 AI/AN child fatalities from abuse/neglect 2015-2019, NCANDS
- AI/AN child maltreatment rate 14.8 per 1,000 infants 2019
- 19% of AI/AN child victims suffered physical abuse 2019, NCANDS
- Sexual abuse accounted for 9.2% of AI/AN child maltreatment 2019
- 42% AI/AN children in foster care due to neglect 2019, highest rate
- AI/AN child fatality rate from maltreatment 4.4 per 100,000 2019
- 1 in 7 AI/AN children maltreated by parent 2019, NCANDS
- Tribal child abuse reports 3x state averages in SD, MT, AK 2018
- 28% AI/AN child victims re-victimized within 6 months, NCANDS 2019
- Alcohol involved in 80% AI/AN child physical abuse cases, BIA report
- AI/AN girls child sexual abuse rate 1.5x boys 2019
- 56,000 AI/AN children in foster care 2019, 2x expected population rate
- Neglect primary maltreatment for 75% AI/AN child fatalities 2019, NCANDS
- Arizona AI/AN child abuse rate 20.1 per 1,000 2020
- 65% AI/AN child abuse substantiated cases involve substance abuse, NCANDS
- Oklahoma AI/AN child fatalities 3.2 per 100,000 2019
- 12% increase in AI/AN child maltreatment reports 2015-2019
- Alaska Native child abuse rate 15.7 per 1,000 2019, highest state
- 33% AI/AN children exposed to domestic violence as maltreatment form, NCANDS
- Minnesota AI/AN child neglect 22.4 per 1,000 2019
- 70% AI/AN child abuse perpetrators parents/guardians 2019
Child Abuse and Neglect Interpretation
These statistics are not abstract numbers but a screaming portrait of systemic failure, where the cradle of Native American childhood is under siege by cycles of neglect, abuse, and an apathetic bureaucracy.
General Victimization Rates
- In 2010-2019, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals experienced violent victimization at a rate of 49.9 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older, more than double the national average of 21.0
- AI/AN females aged 12 or older had a violent victimization rate of 60.5 per 1,000 in 2010-2019, compared to 19.8 for white females
- Simple assault accounted for 70% of violent victimizations against AI/AN persons in 2010-2019, at a rate of 35.2 per 1,000
- AI/AN males experienced violent victimization at 40.1 per 1,000 persons age 12+ from 2010-2019
- In urban areas, AI/AN victimization rate was 52.3 per 1,000 in 2010-2019, higher than rural at 42.1
- 89% of AI/AN violent victimizations were committed by non-AI/AN offenders between 2010-2019
- AI/AN persons reported 2.5 times higher rate of violent victimization involving weapons (8.9 per 1,000) than whites in 2010-2019
- Lifetime prevalence of violence for AI/AN women is 84.3%, compared to 71% for all women, per NIJ 2016 study
- AI/AN men report 81.6% lifetime physical violence or sexual violence victimization, NIJ 2016
- In 2021, AI/AN people were 2.3 times more likely to experience violent crime than other races, per FBI UCR
- 2015-2019 NCVS data shows AI/AN violent victimization rate of 45.2 per 1,000 for ages 12+
- AI/AN youth (12-17) had 62.4 per 1,000 violent victimization rate in 2010-2019
- 56% of AI/AN women experienced stalking in lifetime, NIJ 2016
- AI/AN adults experienced 27% higher rate of aggravated assault (12.3 per 1,000) 2010-2019
- Non-Hispanic AI/AN violent victimization rate was 54.7 per 1,000 in 2017, CDC data
- 2016-2020, AI/AN persons reported to police 35% of violent victimizations, lower than 45% national average
- AI/AN women in Minnesota reservations had 1 in 3 lifetime victimization rate, UIHI 2020
- National average violent crime rate for AI/AN was 3,953 per 100,000 in 2019
- AI/AN elderly (65+) violent victimization at 28.5 per 1,000, 2010-2019
- 2022 data shows AI/AN assault rate 4 times national average on reservations
General Victimization Rates Interpretation
These numbers scream that for Native Americans, violence isn't just a tragic headline, but a grim and constant background hum to life, inflicted overwhelmingly from the outside.
Homicide Statistics
- AI/AN homicide victimization rate 16.5 per 100,000 for females 2016, CDC
- AI/AN males had homicide rate of 28.4 per 100,000 in 2016, highest among races
- Between 2003-2018, AI/AN women murdered at 5 times rate of white women in 71 urban counties, UIHI
- 2014-2018, homicide rate for AI/AN females aged 10+ was 11.8 per 100,000 on reservations
- AI/AN people accounted for 2.5% of homicide victims but only 1.3% population, 2019 FBI
- In Alaska, AI/AN homicide victimization rate 24.3 per 100,000 2010-2015
- 71% of AI/AN homicide victims were killed by non-Natives, 2003-2018 UIHI study
- New Mexico AI/AN female homicide rate 12.7 per 100,000 2003-2018
- Montana saw AI/AN women homicide 3.5 times national rate 2003-2018
- 2015-2019, 96% of AI/AN women homicides unsolved in some counties, UIHI
- AI/AN male homicide rate 39.2 per 100,000 ages 15-34, 2015-2019
- Arizona AI/AN homicide victimization 18.4 per 100,000 2010-2020
- 84% of Native homicides involved alcohol, BIA 2020 report
- South Dakota AI/AN female murder rate 14.2 per 100,000 2003-2018
- Oklahoma AI/AN homicide victims 2,100% overrepresented 2014-2018
- 2016 AI/AN overall homicide rate 12.2 per 100,000, CDC WISQARS
- Washington state AI/AN women homicide 4.1 times white women rate 2007-2017
- 65% of AI/AN homicides on reservations by intimate partners or family, NIJ
- California AI/AN male homicide rate 32.1 per 100,000 2010-2015
Homicide Statistics Interpretation
Behind every staggering statistic lies a broken promise, revealing a national legacy where Native American lives are ended at devastating rates and their deaths are often met with institutional silence.
Intimate Partner Violence
- 61% of AI/AN women experienced intimate partner physical violence lifetime, NIJ 2016
- AI/AN women 1.7 times more likely to experience IPV rape/sexual assault than non-Hispanics, CDC NISVS
- 52% AI/AN men experienced IPV physical violence, NIJ 2016
- 90% of AI/AN women IPV by current/former partner who was non-Native, NIJ
- AI/AN IPV victimization rate 28.4 per 1,000 2010-2019, BJS
- 48.6% AI/AN women lifetime stalking by intimate partner, NIJ
- 81% of AI/AN women murdered by intimate partner or family, MMW report
- Alaska AI/AN IPV homicide rate 9 times national 2002-2011
- 39% AI/AN women experienced IPV before age 18, NIJ
- Tribal court data shows 70% domestic violence cases involve alcohol, BIA
- 12-month IPV rate for AI/AN women 15.2%, CDC
- 55% of AI/AN violent victimizations by intimate partners 2010-2019, BJS
- South Dakota reservations IPV reports 4x state average 2018
- 67% AI/AN women fear leaving abusive partner due to jurisdiction issues, NIJ survey
- Montana AI/AN IPV shelter usage 80% of capacity, state data
- 44% AI/AN men IPV involving weapons lifetime, NIJ 2016
- New Mexico AI/AN IPV homicide 62% of female murders 2010-2020
- 73% AI/AN women IPV psychological aggression lifetime, NIJ
- Washington AI/AN IPV calls to hotline 3x proportional 2019
- 29% AI/AN IPV victimizations reported to police 2010-2019, lower than average, BJS
- AI/AN children witness IPV at 75% rate in violent households, NIJ
Intimate Partner Violence Interpretation
The statistics paint a shatteringly clear picture: for Native American communities, the most dangerous place is often a home surrounded by an invisible cage of jurisdictional neglect and systemic failure.
Sexual Violence Statistics
- 56% of AI/AN women have experienced sexual violence in lifetime, NIJ 2016
- 1 in 3 AI/AN men experienced sexual violence, NIJ 2016 national study
- 2.2 times more likely for AI/AN women to experience rape/sexual assault than all women, CDC NISVS 2010-2012
- 49% of AI/AN women raped by non-Native perpetrator, NIJ 2016
- AI/AN sexual assault victimization rate 5.7 per 1,000 females 12+ 2010-2019, BJS
- Lifetime sexual violence prevalence 55.5% for AI/AN women, CDC
- 27% of AI/AN women raped before age 18, NIJ
- AI/AN males sexual violence victimization 38.5% lifetime, NIJ 2016
- 91% of AI/AN women sexual violence by known offender, NIJ
- Alaska Native women rape rate 3.5 times national average, per 2016 NIJ
- 23% of AI/AN violent victimizations were sexual assaults 2010-2019, BJS
- AI/AN women report 12.2% 12-month sexual violence rate, CDC NISVS
- 69% of attempted/completed rapes against AI/AN women by non-Natives, NIJ
- Tribal lands see sexual assault reports 10 times higher per capita, DOJ 2012
- 1 in 2 AI/AN women experienced sexual violence by intimate partner, NIJ
- Minnesota AI/AN women 1 in 5 raped lifetime, state report
- 34% AI/AN trans women experienced sexual assault past year, UIHI
- 2010-2019 AI/AN sexual violence with injury rate 2.1 per 1,000, BJS
- 51% of AI/AN women first sexual violence before 18, NIJ
- Arizona AI/AN sexual assault reports up 45% 2015-2020
- 64% of 56% AI/AN women sexual violence perpetrators were non-Native, NIJ detailed
Sexual Violence Statistics Interpretation
While these statistics paint a grim portrait of systemic trauma, they are less a cultural anomaly and more a damning indictment of a history where colonial violence has been repackaged into modern crime, with Indigenous bodies still treated as contested territory.
Sources & References
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