Women and men are murdered and go missing, but indigenous mothers, sisters, daughters, aunties and nieces experience a higher rate of violence than other ethnicities.
Stereotypes that blame victims, the lack of reporting and investigation, and overlapping jurisdiction of tribes, law enforcement and courts stymie action.
To break the silence, indigenous women and allies are organizing to bring awareness to the suffering. They are calling attention to the violence, trafficking and inadequate response.
Indigenous women have been raising visibility by wearing red ribbon skirts to symbolize their sacredness and resilience, and by painting red handprints over their mouths to symbolize the blood shed by lost, stolen and murdered sisters.