The Indian Health Service is mandated to provide culturally competent health care to raise the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives eligible to receive health care services from the IHS (25 U.S.C. §§ 1602 and 1603(11)(E) and (F)). IHS recognizes that cultural competency is a key factor to preventing child abuse and maltreatment. Uplifting youth through hoop dancing, attending traditional ceremonies, hunting and gathering, creating arts and crafts projects through woodworking, beading or crocheting, playing sports and exercising, and establishing healthy family and friend relationships are all protective factors that positively impact a child’s lifestyle. Practicing and nurturing parental skills, ensuring nutritional food and shelter is available, being role models or champions, ensuring access to quality medical care and mental health services, stable housing, and afterschool programs are other examples that can be categorized into individual, familial, and community protective factors against child maltreatment.
We know that American Indian and Alaska Native children have some of the highest rates of child maltreatment. IHS has first-hand knowledge of this because it provides health care to children that are victims of abuse. We also see child abuse on news channels, read about it in the local newspapers, experience it with our relatives, or even attend vigils for innocent children who have been lost far too soon. Child maltreatment includes physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 that results in harm, the potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child. Being exposed to drugs, alcohol, mental health issues, food insecurity, and high rates of violence are all potential risk factors for child maltreatment and for potential perpetration.
As recognized by Congress through the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1601-1685), an ongoing message from the forensic healthcare team is that individuals and communities who teach Indigenous core values, cultural strengths, Native languages, and traditional beliefs positively impact a child’s health and well-being, which ultimately decreases any potential negative health outcomes and risks for maltreatment. Lastly, we encourage collaboration with local tribal governments and coalitions to help provide support and prevention efforts against child maltreatment. Please find a listing of tribal coalitions here.
We ask everyone to show support and encourage positive and healthy discussions with family and friends to help end child abuse and maltreatment. Our children are our future!
Helpful Resources:
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2025 – The White House Proclamation
- IHS Child Maltreatment – related information
- EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center – Pediatric Education and Advocacy Kit (PEAK): Child Abuse
- Children’s Bureau: The Administration for Children and Families (hhs.gov)
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month - Child Welfare Information Gateway
- National Indian Child Welfare Association – NICWA
- StrongHearts Native Helpline – 844-7NATIVE (762-8483)
Provider Resources:
- Hotline for Reporting Child/Sexual Abuse within IHS: 855-SAFE-IHS (855-723-3447)
- Indian Health Manual Part 3, Chapter 36: Child Maltreatment
- The IHS Forensic Healthcare webpage offers a variety of resources, including provider guidebooks, forensic-related health topics, programs and initiatives, provider resources, training, policies, and a sign-up option for the Forensic Healthcare Listserv.
- The IHS awarded the Forensic Nursing Consultation Program contract to Texas A&M University Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing to provide education, training, and mentoring resources to boost forensic health care related workforce activities across all IHS, tribal, and urban Indian organization facilities. This training includes the 40-hour Pediatric Sexual Assault Examiner course (CE/CMEs are available and are FREE for all I/T/U providers). Register for courses today!
