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Violence and Abuse in Rural America – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Violence and Abuse in Rural America.

The Never-Ending Maze: Continued Failure to Protect Indigenous Women from Sexual Violence in the USA
Report examining criminal justice, healthcare, and support service issues related to disparities in sexual violence for American Indian and Alaska Native women. Covers challenges due to jurisdictional limitations, challenges and opportunities in tribal policing, the need for training and access to rape kits at Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, and culturally competent support for survivors of sexual violence.
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Amnesty International
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Vital Signs: Changes in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates — United States, 2019–2020
Reports on changes to firearm homicide and suicide rates by age, race/ethnicity, region, and urbanization level. Examines 2019-2020 national vital statistics and population data, as well as urbanization and poverty measures at the county level.
Author(s): Scott R. Kegler, Thomas R. Simon, Marissa L. Zwald, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 71(19), 656-663
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Rural-Urban Differences in Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences
Webinar examining whether adverse childhood experience (ACE) and positive childhood experience (PCE) exposure differs between rural and urban children by type and by count, quantifying racial/ethnic disparities in ACE and PCE exposure across rural communities. Documents the proportion of children with ACEs who lack PCE exposure among rural children, and features statistics on various types of ACEs with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Author(s): Elizabeth L. Crouch
Date: 03/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center), Rural Health Research Gateway
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Rural-Urban Differences in Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences: Results from the National Survey of Children's Health
Examines the types and counts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) for rural and urban children ages 6-17. Also reports on the differences between rural and urban ACEs and PCEs across 50 states and the District of Columbia. Features demographics with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Author(s): Elizabeth Crouch, Sylvia Shi, Katherine Kelly, et al.
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center)
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The 2021 National School Climate Survey: The Experiences of LGBTQ+ Youth in Our Nation's Schools
Report examining school climate and experiences of LGBTQ+ youth based on 22,298 surveys of students conducted between April and August 2021. Presents data on reported harassment, support through staff and school resources, and changes in school climate and discrimination. Includes data broken down by urban, suburban, and rural or small town residence.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Joseph G. Kosciw, Caitlin M. Clark, Leesh Menard
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: GLSEN
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Sex Trafficking and Substance Use: Identifying High-Priority Needs Within the Criminal Justice System
Summarizes proceedings from a workshop that examines the overlap of sex trafficking and substance use disorders (SUDs) to provide victim-centered and trauma-informed services. Discusses policies and stigma surrounding SUDs and the barriers for marginalized victims who try to access services. Provides commentary on the increased needs of rural and nonmetropolitan communities.
Author(s): Lynn Langton, Michael G. Planty, Duren Banks, et al.
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Experiences and Correlates of Violence Among American Indian and Alaska Native Youth: A Brief Report
Study examining experiences of violence and harassment within 6 months among American Indian youth based on survey data from 400 participants. Breaks down responses by type of interpersonal violence and victimization and self-reported mental health issues.
Author(s): Katie M. Edwards, Victoria L. Banyard, Leon Leader Charge, Laura M. Mercer Kollar, Beverly Fortson
Citation: Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36, 23-24, 11808-11821
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
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Evidence Brief: Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence/Sexual Assault Among Veterans
Report details a study on the prevalence of intimate partner violence and sexual assault experienced by veterans. Breaks down data by type of abuse suffered, gender, and rurality, among other measures.
Additional links: Supplemental Materials
Author(s): Nicholas J. Parr, Sarah Young, Rachel Ward, Katherine Mackey
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
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Examining Child Maltreatment Reports Using Linked County-Level Data
Report examining the insights that county-level data can provide on child maltreatment based on various national sources, including the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), the U.S. Census, and others. Investigates rural-specific data and rural/nonrural comparisons in associations between risk factors, report rates, child poverty, and child maltreatment.
Author(s): Brenda Smith, Qingyi Li, Kun Wang
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Linking Administrative Data to Improve Understanding of Child Maltreatment Incidence and Related Risk and Protective Factors: A Feasibility Study
Examines the feasibility of linking data from local, state, and federal administrative agencies, such as child welfare, health, social service, education, and others, in order to produce new information on child maltreatment. Discusses rural-specific data concerns.
Author(s): Andrea Mraz Esposito, Claire Smither Wulsin, Leah Pranschke, Andrew Burwick, Rebekka Nickman
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:


Last Updated: 6/17/2024