Call the Professional Resource Helpline for technical assistance related to medical forensic care
Role of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
The Role of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) provides a general overview of the critical role SANEs play in supporting survivors of sexual assault. The video includes information about the role and purpose of SANEs to an unfamiliar audience, including information

VIDEO

NTCSA Vignette: SART Sexual Assault Response Teams
From the National Tribal Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault (NTCSA): The SART- Tribal Sexual Assault Response Team training video explores how Tribal communities can reclaim traditional practices of collective care to address sexual violence through the development of a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). Rooted in Indigenous values of unity and healing, the video illustrates how a SART brings together a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, advocates, law enforcement, court personnel, and sometimes survivors, to provide a coordinated response to sexual assault. Viewers will gain a clear understanding of the purpose and structure of a Tribal SART, how it differs from non-Tribal models, and why culturally grounded responses are essential for building trust and ensuring survivor-centered, trauma-informed care. The training addresses complex jurisdictional challenges, emphasizes the need for confidentiality and safety, and discusses how SARTs can break down common barriers faced by American Indian and Alaska Native survivors.

VIDEO

NTCSA Vignette: Respect is Tradition—A Guide to Consent
From the National Tribal Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault (NTCSA): Rooted in the strength of American Indian and Alaska Native traditions, Respect is Tradition: A Guide to Consent explores the vital role of consent in building safe, respectful relationships. The video outlines the specifics of defining consent and boundaries, and what consent is not. This vignette also emphasizes that consent is not a new concept and is deeply tied to the traditions of respect and community care that are similarly found in Tribal teachings.

VIDEO

NTCSA Vignette: Healing By Connecting to Culture
From the National Tribal Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault (NTCSA): Healing by Connecting to Culture is a training video that explores how culturally rooted practices can support the healing of trauma in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Centered on the belief that culture is medicine, this video highlights best practices for incorporating traditional knowledge into advocacy and victim services, and emphasizes the importance of honoring each Tribe’s unique ways. Viewers will learn how traditional healing methods, like lit-medicines, traditional ceremonies, connecting to land, and art can be integrated with modern support services to create holistic, trauma-informed care.
Tribal Sexual Assault Legal Advocacy Support Toolkit
With this Toolkit, TLPI hopes that Tribal victim advocates will have access to information to assist them in supporting victim’s navigating legal systems and processes, with a special emphasis on the prosecution process and victim rights. The Toolkit is focused on information that is accessible, ready-to-use/reference, and educational. Recent TLPI work with this focus includes: Pocket Guide: Tribal Victim Advocacy in Criminal Cases (2022).

ARTICLE

Tribal Legal Code Resource: Sexual Assault Considerations for Tribal Sexual Assault Code Development
With this resource, TLPI hopes that Tribal victim advocates will have access to information to assist them in drafting Tribal codes that address sexual assault in their communities or galvanizing an effort to create/amend/expand Tribal codes in this area. The resource centers around adult sexual assault victims/perpetrators rather than child victims/perpetrators. The resource focuses on information that is accessible, ready-to-use/reference, and educational. Recent TLPI work with this focus includes Pocket Guide: Tribal Victim Advocacy in Criminal Cases (2022).

ARTICLE

Incorporating Victim-Centered Practices into Tribal Law Enforcement Sexual Assault Protocols
The Incorporating Victim-Centered Practices into Tribal Law Enforcement Sexual Assault Protocols: A Companion Guide to Tribal Law Enforcement Protocol Resource: Sexual Assault (2008) (Companion Guide) expands on a host of TLPI resources on addressing sexual assault in Indian country and on Tribal lands. With this Companion Guide, TLPI hopes that all those looking to draft, enhance, or amend Tribal law enforcement protocols for responding to sexual assault have a useable resource to enable them to incorporate victim-centered approaches.

FACTSHEET

Reclaiming Your Care: A Survivor Resource to Navigating Medical Trauma
This resource supports survivors of sexual violence who may have also experienced medical trauma, with a focus on those from Tribal communities. It recognizes that medical trauma is real and that all individuals deserve care that is grounded in kindness, respect, and safety.
Language as an Element of Response to Sexual Violence
Intentional communication can be an element of healing when a service provider uses language to create positive experiences and a safe environment for American Indian and/or Alaska Native individuals receiving services as a result of sexual violence.

PRESENTATION

Community of Practice Series: Tribal Code Development & Victim Advocacy
Community of Practice calls present an opportunity to discuss current issues, challenges, and successes in your work. This call series will promote sharing, support, and collaboration both within and across disciplines. Each call will be facilitated by members of Tribal Law and Policy Institute (TLPI).

PRESENTATION

Community of Practice Series: Emergency Support and Forensic Exam
Community of Practice calls present an opportunity to discuss current issues, challenges, and successes in your work. This call series will promote sharing, support, and collaboration both within and across disciplines. Each call will be facilitated by members of Tribal Law and Policy Institute (TLPI).

PRESENTATION

Community of Practice Series: Sexual Assault Advocacy Is Not For The Faint of Heart
Community of Practice calls present an opportunity to discuss current issues, challenges, and successes in your work. This call series will promote sharing, support, and collaboration both within and across disciplines. Each call will be facilitated by members of Tribal Law and Policy Institute (TLPI).

PRESENTATION

Community of Practice Series: Law Enforcement Collaboration
Community of Practice calls present an opportunity to discuss current issues, challenges, and successes in your work. This call series will promote sharing, support, and collaboration both within and across disciplines. Each call will be facilitated by members of Tribal Law and Policy Institute (TLPI).

FACTSHEET

Health Disparities in Tribal Communities
In Tribal communities across the United States, sexual violence remains a pervasive and urgent issue. Native people experience some of the highest rates of sexual assault and abuse in the country. Despite this, the issue remains largely hidden, underreported, and inadequately addressed by both mainstream public health systems and law enforcement.

FACTSHEET

Sexual Assault Reporting Options in Alaska
Learn more about sexual assault reporting options in Alaska.

FACTSHEET

Fatphobia and Sexual Assault: How Survivors are Impacted by Internal Biases
For survivors of sexual assault, the impact of fatphobia can be particularly serious. The bias against larger bodies can affect the care they receive from healthcare providers, who may show fatphobic attitudes that result in inadequate or dismissive treatment. These experiences can discourage survivors from seeking necessary medical attention or emotional/spiritual support, which are crucial for their healing.
Coordinated Community Response to Sexual Assault

WEBSITE

Workplaces Respond to Domestic & Sexual Violence: A National Resource Center

FACTSHEET

Futures Without Violence: Violence and Reproductive Health

WEBSITE

The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC)

WEBSITE

RAINN Safety and Prevention