Sexual Violence as a Tool of Indigenous Genocide

Authors

Katherine E. Elser, Gettysburg CollegeFollow

Class Year

2024

Document Type

Student Research Paper

Date of Creation

Spring 2022

Department 1

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Abstract

Throughout American history, sexual violence against Native Americans has been an all-too common phenomenon. This ranges from outright rape to less obvious examples, including the desecration of native bodies and the separation of native children from their parents, such as at the boarding schools. Analyzing "Sexual Violence as a Tool of Genocide" by Andrea Smith, along with a variety of other sources, this article argues that sexual violence against native peoples reinforces the colonial idea that they are subhuman and "rapable." Additionally, I also argue that this violence is used to subjugate not just native women, but all women, particularly white women.

Comments

Written for WGS 214: Native American Women

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Elser, Katherine E., "Sexual Violence as a Tool of Indigenous Genocide" (2022). Student Publications. 979.
https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship/979