The NAAV, created in 2009, is a nonprofit organization serving as Oklahoma’s only tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalition. The staff of the NAAV has significant experience in addressing the needs of American Indian survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The NAAV provides training, education, support, and technical assistance to member Indian service providers in a manner that enables those member service providers to establish and maintain culturally appropriate services designed to assist Indian women and the dependents of those women who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The NAAV is committed to increasing awareness of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking committed against Native women; enhancing the response to violence against Native women at the Tribal, Federal, and state levels; and identifying and providing technical assistance to coalition membership and tribal communities to enhance access to essential services to Native women victimized by sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The NAAV sponsors an annual event, specially addressing sexual assault, the American Indian Gathering of Voices: Addressing Sexual Assault in Indian Country. The event held at the Oklahoma State Capital features the work and services of the tribal domestic and sexual violence programs in Oklahoma, and utilizes the strong voice of tribal leaders, advocate and survivors. The annual event is attended by hundreds of individuals including state legislators, tribal and non-tribal government leaders, tribal and non-tribal advocacy organizations, tribal and non-tribal members of law enforcement and the judiciary, and tribal and non-tribal citizens.
