Restoring Balance: Traditional Native Practices for Healing From Domestic Violence and Reclaiming Safety

Dr. Philip Akinmurele

Abstract- This paper addresses the pervasive issue of domestic violence within native communities, emphasizing its detrimental effects across physical, emotional, verbal, and spiritual dimensions. It proposes a holistic healing approach through traditional native practices such as ceremony, meditation, storytelling, and a comprehensive healing framework. These practices are examined for their potential to foster healing by reclaiming power, promoting emotional release, enhancing self-awareness, and building community support. The paper also discusses grassroots preventive measures, clinical interventions, and victim empowerment strategies, integrating social determinants of health to combat domestic violence effectively. It concludes with recommendations to mainstream these traditional practices into support services, advocating for a culturally sensitive, community-based approach to healing and prevention.