Abstract
This study explores the relationships between the social views of sexual violence and the quantitative rates of sexual violence amongst both Westernized American populations and Indigenous populations. The initial literature review highlights publications that have discussed how the acquisition of land by colonial settlers is directly linked to the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon for exerting control over Indigenous populations (Deer, 2015; Stannard, 1992). Current definitions and cultural understandings of sexual violence are reviewed from both Western and Indigenous points of view. Also examined are the specific legal developments and social movements like the Women's Movement and Me Too Movement. Other aspects included are the high rates of sexual violence today, specifically among Indigenous women. The review also delves into how these modern movements, while crucial, have not fully addressed the systemic and cultural issues that perpetuate sexual violence, particularly in Indigenous communities. Despite legislative improvements, such as the Violence Against Women Act, there is still a high rate of sexual violence acts against Indigenous populations, furthering the need for more specific research on the intersection of societal standards and their impact on sexual violence. This need for a better comparison outlines the research section. Research Design: The research design will include a rubric that will compare data sets derived from archival data. These data sets will include both quantitative data and qualitative data. The rubric will be designed to determine if Westernized populations and Indigenous populations have differing societal views on sexual violence. If differences are determined, they will be analyzed to see if there is a correlation to the differing rates of sexual violence amongst each respective community. This analysis is important as the connection could determine possible future initiatives to be implemented to reduce the rate of sexual violence amongst Indigenous communities.