Research

The Data Crisis

One issue among the MMIWG is the data crisis. While awareness of the large number of missing Native women and girls is increasing among the general public, logging in the Department of Justice databse remains low. Out of 5,712 Native people (women, girls, 2-spirit/ LGBTQIA+) reported missing in 2016, only 116 were logged in the DoJ database. In addition to this, studies done on sexual abuse and murder statistics of Native women often leave out the large portion of these women in urban areas, despite 71% of Native Americans/ Alaskan Natives (NA/AI) living in these reserved lands that are defined by the government. Even with all of this taken into account, murder is the 3rd leading cause of death among Native women. Using the information procided the the Urban Indian Health Institute, I have compiled any available information about assault and murder statistics among urban Native women.

A study done by the Urban Indian Health Institute using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) displays these findings. Left out of the ribbon skirt the Native woman in the graphic adorns is the 153 cases found in addition to these 506 that were not logged in any databases or law enforcement records. (Note: this report was done across only 71 urban cities and does not account for anywhere outside of these urban cities)

Ribbon skirt- "a form of cultural clothing that represents the sacredness of American Indian and Alaska Native women and the deep connection their bodies and spirits have to the land" (UIHI)

FOIA- an act that allows anyone to request access to federal records

Unlisted statistics of the report shown above

96 cases related to broader issues
- Police brutality, domestic violence, endangering of sex workers, sexual assault
42 related specifically to domestic violence
- 14% were under 18
3 victims pregnant at time of death
25 sexually assaulted before/ after death
18 were sex workers or being sex trafficked
8 were homeless
6 were trans-women
7 were victims of police brutality or died in police custody
Youngest victim was under 1 year old
Oldest victim was 83
More information in the additional graphic

Why is there a data issue among cases regarding Native women?

Racial misclassification
Poor relationships between tribal government and law enforcement
Poor record-keeping
Lack of relationship between journalists and NA/AI communities
Institutionalized racism in the media
General underreporting

More information of the UIHI study here.

Additional Statistics (National)

4 out of 5 Native women will experience violence (sexual or otherwise) in their lifetime
Murder rates of Native women are 10 times the national average (according to the US Department of Justice)
Homicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among Native girls aged 10-24
Homicide if the 5th leading cause of death among Native women aged 25-35

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