Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Steven Hecht

Committee Member

Tina Jaeckle

Committee Member

Marcelo Castro

Keywords

Alaska, Alaska Native, Domestic violence, Intimate Partner Violence, Native American Women

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is not a new problem. Many forms of intimate partner violence can be found worldwide, and evidence of its occurrences can be traced back as far as history goes. However, while intimate partner violence may have been recognized and treated as a private family matter in earlier years, current research shows that it is coming to the forefront as it becomes an increasing issue in the United States and its marginalized communities. With the victimization rate being much higher for American Indian/Alaska Natives in comparison to other races, addressing the issue of intimate partner violence should be a high priority for all agencies.

This research used a multi-method study consisting of 3 phases, to further understand the role of prevention and intervention services in addressing the needs of victims of intimate partner violence. Additionally, this researcher evaluated the impact of prevention and intervention services and propose recommendations to improve their effectiveness.

In phase 1, this researcher created a quantitative survey questionnaire with the feedback and expertise of Dr. Ingrid Johnson, the principal investigator of the Alaska Victimization Survey. In phase 2, the researcher distributed the questionnaire to 4 of the most utilized intimate partner violence organizations in rural Alaska, to obtain the quantitative data from each organization. And in phase 3, the researcher explained the quantitative findings by obtaining more nuanced information about barriers that victims face in receiving prevention and intervention services via qualitative interview format from as many staff members as possible from the organizations that participated in the survey questionnaire.

This proposed study will provide useful data that can assist service providers in improving effectiveness, awareness, and accessibility to the rural Native American community in Alaska, help speak to the needs of Native American victims of intimate partner violence and inform future surveys to move toward decreasing violence and lessening the challenges Native American women face when accessing intimate partner violence resources in Alaska.

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