Bitter Earth: Child Sexual Abuse in Indian country

Date

1999

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Office for Victims of Crime Resource Center: Washington D.C.

Abstract

Description

Bitter Earth is an educational tool for increase in the awareness of child sexual abuse in Indian Country among community members and non-Indian service providers. The video can be shown in groups, families, or can be viewed privately by individuals. The content of the video may be disturbing to some viewers as it may trigger memories of abuse. Prior to viewing the video, it will be helpful to inform people of the reactions that they may experience and to identify the local resources available to provide counseling or other assistance. While some may wish to view the video in private, it is important for everyone to know that emotional responses to parts of the video are normal for people who have experienced or witnessed abuse. For agencies utilizing Bitter Earth as a training tool, it will be useful to develop educational handouts to accompany the video. These may include the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse as well as local resources available to victims of child sexual abuse, past and present, as well as other issues (e.g., discussing male victimization, juvenile perpetrators, multiple perpetrator molestation, female perpetrators, etc.)

Keywords

Child abuse, Native American, Public awareness, Recording -- video

Citation

DOI