Payne Diane, Olson Kimber, Parrish Jared W
Justice for Native Children, Chugiak, Alaska 99567-0818, USA.
Int J Circumpolar Health. 2013 Aug 5;72. doi: 10.3402/ijch.v72i0.21067. eCollection 2013.
The Alaska Native (AN) population has endured multiple historical traumatic events. This population has poorer health outcomes on nearly all factors compared with Alaska non-Natives with more than 75% reportedly being physically assaulted in their lifetime, and child sexual abuse nearly 6 times the national average.
This article describes the Pathway to Hope (PTH) program, which is an indigenous approach to ending silence and denial related to child sexual abuse and encourages multigenerational healing.
PTH was developed by ANs who believe that each community is unique, thus strategies for ending denial and support for healing must be woven from the historical context, cultural strengths of individual communities. Strengths-based solutions built on truth, honesty, compassion and shared responsibility for healing and protecting today's children have been profound and successful. The PTH curriculum addresses child sexual abuse from a historical perspective; that the higher rates of sexual abuse among certain Tribes, regions and communities is linked in part to years of victimisation, but may also be perpetuated by internalised oppression and lateral violence among Tribal members.
Data suggest that community-based dialogue and wisdom of Native elders and spiritual leaders paired with readiness of community service providers are necessary for sustained change. At all levels, this Indigenous model for learning, sharing, helping and healing brings hope for an end to denial and silence about child sexual abuse for Native people.
The PTH program utilises the wisdom and values that have sustained Native people for generations. Ending silence and denial about child sexual abuse and building upon strengths have assisted many Indigenous communities begin the journey toward wellness. Through the PTH, communities have taken steps to accept the challenges associated with establishing safety for children, supporting child victims in healing and to holding offenders accountable.
阿拉斯加原住民（AN）群体经历了多次历史创伤事件。与阿拉斯加非原住民相比，该群体在几乎所有健康因素方面的结果都更差，据报道，超过75%的人在一生中遭受过身体攻击，儿童性虐待发生率几乎是全国平均水平的6倍。
本文介绍了“希望之路”（PTH）项目，这是一种本土方法，旨在打破与儿童性虐待相关的沉默和否认，并鼓励多代人实现治愈。
PTH由阿拉斯加原住民开发，他们认为每个社区都是独特的，因此打破否认的策略以及对治愈的支持必须基于历史背景、各个社区的文化优势。基于真相、诚实、同情以及对治愈和保护当今儿童的共同责任构建的基于优势的解决方案意义深远且成功。PTH课程从历史角度探讨儿童性虐待问题；某些部落、地区和社区中较高的性虐待发生率部分与多年的受害经历有关，但也可能因部落成员的内化压迫和横向暴力而持续存在。
数据表明，基于社区的对话、原住民长辈和精神领袖的智慧以及社区服务提供者的意愿对于持续变革是必要的。在各个层面，这种本土的学习、分享、帮助和治愈模式为结束原住民对儿童性虐待的否认和沉默带来了希望。
PTH项目利用了支撑原住民几代人的智慧和价值观。打破对儿童性虐待的沉默和否认并发挥自身优势，帮助许多原住民社区踏上了通往健康的旅程。通过PTH，社区已采取措施接受与为儿童建立安全环境、支持儿童受害者康复以及追究犯罪者责任相关的挑战。
