Transition To Remote Work
Opens New Doors
(EAGAN,
Minn., September 26, 2023) – It’s been more than six years since
StrongHearts Native Helpline opened its phone lines to offer victim advocacy
and support for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). To say they’ve
come a long way is an understatement—especially in the wake of a pandemic.
“We came out of a pandemic
true to form as resilient Native people,” said Lori Jump, (Sault Ste. Marie
Chippewa/ Anishinaabe) CEO, StrongHearts Native Helpline.
“Not only did we survive as
an organization, we thrived while facing adversity. Our commitment didn’t
waiver, and our determination to succeed was undeniable.”
Jump refers to established
benchmarks to expand hours of operation from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. to 24/7, to
increase access by adding text and online chat advocacy, and to enhance
advocate training by adding components to address sexual violence and human
trafficking.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives
“The additional training
components speak to the crisis of our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives
(MMIR) and how they intersect with domestic and sexual violence,” Jump
explained. “We collaborated with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Blue Campaign
to develop culturally sensitive training to support victims of human
trafficking.”
Unfortunately, people in
most need of food and shelter are often preyed upon by predators who target the
poorest communities in the country. They know where they find people desperate
for work and take advantage of them under false pretenses by offering job
opportunities or even love, support, and companionship.
Increased
Staff and Advocates
As StrongHearts became more widely known, staff
and advocates anticipated growth in the number of contacts:
●
In the first nine months, StrongHearts started
with two advocates who answered a few hundred calls.
●
The following year, the number of calls more than
doubled.
●
In 2019, StrongHearts increased its advertising
and marketing efforts to spread awareness that help was available, resulting in
several thousand more contacts.
●
In 2020 and 2021, when the pandemic necessitated
spatial distancing, StrongHearts responded by offering remote advocate
positions. Again, contacts grew by several thousand.
●
In 2022, contacts exceeded the “all-time” number
in the previous five years with advocates answering more than 40,000 contacts.
Over the course of six years, StrongHearts hired
39 front-line advocates and 11 administrators and support staff.
Adaptation
To Remote Work
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, StrongHearts had
to improvise and adapt to social distancing by utilizing and offering remote
work to advocates and staff. Though this was never intended to be a permanent
remedy, StrongHearts discovered that by providing at-home positions, more
Native people could apply in different states nationwide.
“StrongHearts was created for Native Americans
by Native Americans,” said Jump.
“By transitioning to remote work, we opened new
doors for Native people to apply for jobs with StrongHearts. Headquartered in
Minneapolis, MN, with a branch office in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, we now employ
advocates in 15 different states.”
Michigan
Office
Welcomed by the State of Michigan, StrongHearts
opened the Michigan office in Sault Ste. Marie. The State reached out to
StrongHearts, wanting to support eradicating violence against Native Americans
by providing after-hour services to Michigan Tribes.
Jump explained, “We know that abuse doesn’t
happen between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The opportunity for victim-survivors to call
their respective Tribes and to connect with a StrongHearts advocate after hours
can be lifesaving.”
Michigan’s pilot program allowed participating
Tribes to “opt-in” and offer support and advocacy by tapping into StrongHearts
phone lines after regular business hours. Tribal members could have direct
access to a StrongHearts advocate and receive peer support, emotional support,
crisis intervention, and safety planning, as well as referring them to
Native-centered service providers and resources.
“Advocates help by listening and supporting
survivors through some very dark hours when navigating intimate partner
violence,” Jump explained. “This added layer of protection helps to bridge the
gap between victim-survivors and Tribal member service providers and
resources.”
Real-Time
Data
In just six years, StrongHearts data has
identified victim survivor demographics, types and prevalence of abuse,
barriers to justice, and discovered crisis-level disparities. Thus far, data
suggests there is an incredibly high risk for domestic violence and sexual
violence in all age groups and across the lifespan:
●
Ages
range from 13-73+ years. However, most contacts are between the ages of 20-39
years.
●
Emotional,
physical, and sexual abuse are more often reported than financial or
digital abuse.
●
The
top five barriers to service include access to services, mental health
services, other reasons, finances, and transportation.
●
Crisis
level disparities. For Native American survivors, there are 56
shelters and 257 Native-centered service providers. For non-Natives, there are
1,544 shelters and 3,643 service providers.
When Native people suffer some of the highest
rates of violence among 574 federally recognized Tribal nations, it is
appalling that there are only 313 culturally appropriate shelters and service
providers. The disparities in services are catastrophic.
National
Statistics
A study conducted by the National Institute of
Justice (NIJ) in 2010 and published in 2016 concluded:
● 97%
of Native women and 90% of Native men experience violence at the hands of
interracial (non-Native) perpetrators.
● 35%
of Native women and 33% of Native men experience violence by intraracial
(Native) perpetrators.
●
More than 4 in 5 Native Americans have
experienced violence in their lifetime.
● 56%
of women have experienced sexual violence.
● 28%
of men have experienced sexual violence.
● In
some counties, rates of homicide are 10x more than the national average.
● Homicide
is the leading cause of death for Native women, with more than 3 in 4 being
killed by intimate partners.
 |
| Lori Jump, CEO,
StrongHearts Native Helpline. | Courtesy:
StrongHearts Native Helpline |
“Indigenous people have
been plagued by five centuries of historical trauma that has accumulated
throughout American History. As a culturally appropriate helpline for Native
Americans by Native Americans, StrongHearts advocates understand the
significance of being Native-centered, trauma-informed, and empowerment-based,”
concluded Jump.
“In our seventh year of
operation, we are just beginning to address the need for cultural healing. We
seek to eradicate violence, restore safety, and preserve sovereignty for all
Tribal nations, but on a personal level. Every step we take toward healing is a
step we take to ensure the safety and sovereignty of our children.”
Serving all individuals who reach out for their
services regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, age, religion,
national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other factor protected
by local, state, or federal law, StrongHearts advocates are available 24/7 to
provide support and advocacy, make referrals to Native centered service
providers and connect our relatives to regionally available resources. Call or
text 1-844-762-8483 or chat online at strongheartshelpline.org
Source: André B. Rosay, "Violence Against American
Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men," June 1, 2016, nij.ojp.gov
TOP PHOTO: Exponential growth in the
number of contacts demonstrates the need for culturally-appropriate support and
advocacy. | Courtesy: StrongHearts Native Helpline.
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