About the Data: Percent of Population That Have Reported Intimate Partner Violence

Data Description

Data Source(s):

• Numerator: Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault (DV/SA) records
• Denominator: Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) active user population

Used on Prior EBCI THIP:
No

Measure Definition:
Percent of the population that reported intimate partner violence:
(# of DV/SA cases reported / Total AI/AN population with at least 2+ visits in the five-county area).

Baseline (Annual):

2018:

• Percent: 1.24%
• Numerator: 146 clients assisted for DV/SA
• Denominator: 11,791

Target:

1.12% of the population reporting intimate partner violence

Target-Setting Method:

10% improvement (decrease) from baseline

Annual Data Overview

*As of September 13, 2024

Measure Components

Numerator:
Total number of clients assisted for DV/SA

Denominator:
Total AI/AN population with at least 2+ visits in the five-county area

Comparable National Data:
Unknown

Data Collection Frequency:
Annual

Story Behind the Curve

The percentage of individuals reporting intimate partner violence (IPV) decreased from 1.24% in 2018 to 1.09% in 2024, reflecting a slight but meaningful improvement in addressing domestic violence within the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) community. The observed decrease can be attributed to a range of targeted initiatives, including the introduction of Lethality Assessment Screening Tools (LAP) to improve victim safety and expanded access to trauma-informed care for survivors.

Community awareness campaigns, such as training sessions and legislative reforms mandating offender accountability, created a safer environment for victims to report IPV and seek help. The data also suggests a potential underreporting in prior years, as community education and support services may have initially increased reporting before stabilizing rates.

While the numbers reflect progress, IPV remains a significant issue requiring sustained efforts, particularly in reaching underserved populations and addressing barriers to reporting.

Partners

Efforts to reduce IPV in the EBCI community involved collaboration across several sectors:

• EBCI Public Health and Human Services (PHHS): Provided trauma-informed care and coordinated community education initiatives.
• EBCI Cherokee Indian Police Department (CIPD): Implemented LAP and responded to IPV cases with enhanced protocols.
• Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA): Delivered medical and behavioral health services tailored to the needs of IPV survivors.
• Community Advocacy Organizations: Supported victims through shelter services, counseling, and legal advocacy.
• Tribal Legal and Legislative Teams: Passed laws mandating offender accountability, including mandatory holds in elder abuse cases.

These partnerships ensured a comprehensive approach to IPV prevention and response.

What Worked

Several strategies contributed to the progress in reducing IPV reporting rates:

1. Lethality Assessment Screening Tools: Equipped law enforcement and first responders with tools to identify high-risk situations and connect survivors with services.
2. Victim Support Services: Expanded access to trauma-informed care and emergency shelter for IPV survivors.
3. Community Awareness Campaigns: Conducted training sessions to educate the public and law enforcement about IPV dynamics and available resources.
4. Legislative Reforms: Strengthened protections for survivors through mandatory holds for offenders, reducing repeat incidents.
5. Collaboration Across Sectors: Partnerships between law enforcement, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups ensured victims received holistic support.

Strategy

The strategies implemented to address IPV under the THIP included:

1. Risk Identification and Response:

   • Introduced the Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) to assess and address high-risk cases of intimate partner violence.

2. Community Awareness and Training:

   • Delivered IPV awareness training to law enforcement, healthcare providers, and the general public to improve detection and reporting.

3. Enhanced Survivor Support:

   • Expanded access to trauma-informed care, emergency shelters, and counseling services for IPV survivors.

4. Legislative and Policy Reforms:

   • Enacted mandatory holds for offenders to protect survivors and ensure legal accountability.

5. Data-Informed Interventions:

   • Used CIHA’s DV/SA data to monitor trends, refine strategies, and allocate resources effectively.

These strategies, built on collaboration, data insights, and community engagement, contributed to improved reporting and support systems for IPV survivors.