Bad Spirits: An American Indian Explanation for Family Violence

Bad Spirits is a clearly, openly, honestly, told story of endurance and eventual escape from horrific family violence that represents a major problem in Indian country, and demonstration of the power of an indigenous way for a victim to understand, survive, and heal from the pain and trauma. It is a major contribution to my understanding of serious sexual violence against children, and heightens my awareness of the potential for victims to survive and heal on their own cultural terms. Above all, this book is a testament to the courage, strength and insight of its author. Hal Pepinsky, Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice at Indiana University, Bloomington This book presents a dichotomy of two different and dominant perspectives: the academic and theoretical world of a young social scientist, stretching the explanatory limits of criminology and victimology; and the other, her own private Spirit World reflecting her unique culture and her personal conclusions – the result of multiple traumas and her attempt to find meaning from both perspectives on her way to recovery.