This approach conceals what can be considered the most crucial dimension from the perspective of prevention, i.e. that victimization is a complex dynamic between victim and offender. For example, many attempts to determine causative agents of domestic violence ignore the fact that, in many Aboriginal communities, violence is a common dimension of social life within some households and extended families. It is important to recognize that Aboriginals are not equally vulnerable to all forms of victimization. Differences of gender, age, and cultural background co-vary with different kinds of victimization. Death caused by a violent act occurs three times more frequently within Aboriginal communities than non-Aboriginal communities.
Suicide is also a serious issue in many Aboriginal communities.
What we now know is that assault is not a random event. It occurs predominantly within Aboriginal communities and is primarily inflicted on Aboriginals by other Aboriginals. A case in point is the fact that Aboriginal women are subject to high rates of sexual assault, with rates being even higher among Inuit women. The facts outlined in this section clearly illustrate that violence is focused within certain sectors of the population. Hence, while violence is avoidable for some people, it still remains a common and unavoidable experience for others in Aboriginal communities across the country.