Ontario study finds eight of 10 Native women abused

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Eight out of every 10 aboriginal women in Ontario have been battered, threatened or sexually abused by a family member, according to a recent study. That's eight times the Canadian average. Husbands were cited as the abuser by 84 per cent of victims. Almost all of the victims--82 per cent--want charges laid. The Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA) study also found four of every aboriginal children are "highly victimized." Association members were "devastated" by their findings. The ONWA wants between $750,000 and $1 million from the province to establish three healing lodges.