Culturally Safe(r) Trauma Services for Indigenous and Black Women Identifying Mainstream Barriers and Facilitators to Healing

Indigenous and Black women continue to be overrepresented as the victims of sexual violence, yet are least likely to access legal or medical services due to the inherent systemic barriers present in contemporary systems. The objective of this paper is to encourage service providers to recognize the systemic barriers that are innate within Canada's socio-political systems, along with, how Euro-centrism maintains their status quo based on oppression. My research will identify the barriers, along with make recommendations in how to support Black and Indigenous women healing. I have utilized community action-based research methods to ensure that it is the women's voices are heard regarding their re-victimization by service providers. My interviews were with women who had accessed social services for their victimization in order to identify the barriers they encountered and not to exploit or sensationalize their stories. The data gathered from my work with service providers provided insight into their understanding of the intersectionality that shapes gender based violence. The women I worked were clear in identifying the systemic barriers in place. They also made clear recommendations on what is required for plausibility of healing to occur in mainstream settings.