AI/AN Victim Services Resources: What This Means for Native Survivors Seeking Help

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) maintains a Tribal/AI/AN victim services resource page that points people to support for American Indian and Alaska Native survivors of crime, violence, and abuse. This resource is meant to help connect survivors, families, advocates, and tribal communities with culturally grounded victim services, funding information, and pathways to assistance.

For many Native survivors, getting help is not just about finding any service — it is about finding support that understands tribal sovereignty, community relationships, language, history, and the realities of living in or near tribal communities. Resources like this can matter because they may:

• Help survivors find culturally responsive victim services
• Point people toward tribal programs and federal support options
• Reduce the time spent searching while in crisis
• Support advocates who are helping someone navigate safety, reporting, or recovery

If you are in a stressful or unsafe situation, please know this: you do not have to figure everything out at once. Even one safe step is enough.

This resource may be especially relevant for:

• American Indian and Alaska Native survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, elder abuse, child abuse, or other crimes
• Family members or friends trying to help a loved one
• Tribal advocates, victim advocates, social workers, and community helpers
• Survivors living on tribal lands, in rural areas, or far from mainstream services
• People who want services that respect tribal identity, culture, and community safety

The OVC tribal overview page is a starting point, not a complete safety plan. It may help you learn about:

• Tribal victim assistance programs
• Federal support and grant-related information
• Services designed for Native communities
• Ways to locate local or tribal contacts who may be able to help with safety, advocacy, and referrals

Because web resources can change, it is a good idea to confirm phone numbers, eligibility, and hours before relying on them in an emergency.

If you are trying to stay safe, you can use this resource in small, manageable steps.

If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services now if it is safe to do so. If calling could put you at risk, consider whether a trusted person can call for you or whether you can leave the area and seek help from a safer location.

If possible, contact someone who can help you think clearly and keep things private:

• A trusted relative or friend
• A tribal advocate
• A shelter or hotline advocate
• A healthcare provider
• A faith or community leader you trust

You do not need to explain everything. A simple message like, “I need help staying safe,” is enough.

If you want support that understands Native communities, ask whether the program offers:

• Tribal victim advocacy
• Culturally grounded counseling
• Safety planning
• Help with reporting or navigating systems
• Support for children, elders, or extended family members

If it is safe, save contact details in a way an abusive person cannot easily find:

• Use a trusted device
• Rename contacts with neutral labels
• Write numbers on paper and keep them somewhere safe
• Clear browser history if that matters for your safety

Before sharing details, you can ask:

• Who can see my information?
• Is this service confidential?
• Will anyone contact the person harming me?
• What happens if I am under 18, an elder, or need language support?

Some programs may have waitlists, limited hours, or eligibility rules. That does not mean you are not worthy of help. It means you may need more than one contact or a backup plan.

If you are looking for support, these options may help:

• OVC Tribal/AI/AN victim services overview: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/tribal/overview
• Local tribal victim services or tribal social services: Ask your tribal government, health clinic, or community center for referrals
• National domestic violence hotline or local DV program: They can help with safety planning and referrals, even if they are not Native-specific
• Sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking support services: If those apply to your situation, specialized advocates may be able to help
• Emergency services: If you are in immediate danger and it is safe to call

If you are outside the U.S. or on a remote reservation with limited service, a local clinic, tribal office, or trusted community member may be the fastest path to a real person who can help.

• You do not have to report abuse to deserve support.
• You do not have to leave immediately to start planning for safety.
• You can ask for help without sharing every detail.
• If your phone, email, or internet use is monitored, be careful with searches, messages, and saved links.
• If leaving is unsafe, focus on quiet planning and support from a trusted advocate.

This resource page is an overview, and the published date is unknown. Because of that, details such as program availability, contact information, and funding opportunities may have changed since the page was last updated.

If you are using this page for urgent help, verify any contact information directly and consider calling more than one resource. When one door is closed, another may still be open.

If you are a Native survivor, your safety, culture, and dignity matter. You deserve support that sees the whole of who you are. If today’s only step is opening a page, saving a number, or telling one trusted person, that still counts.