Domestic Violence Awareness Month - Amanda Marshall

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Celebrating Successes; Yet More to Do

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Since 2009, the Office on Violence Against Women has awarded grants totaling more than $1.5 billion to states, local and tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations to strengthen efforts to fight domestic violence. On average, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) money trains over 500,000 police officers, prosecutors, judges, advocates and others every year and provides services to more than 700,000 survivors.

In 2011, DOJ proposed amendments to the VAWA that would:

Recognize tribal jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute Indians and non-Indians who assault Indian intimate partners, or who violate protection orders in Indian country;
Clarify that tribal courts have jurisdiction to issue and enforce protection orders against Indians and non-Indians; and
Amend the law to provide graduated sanctions ensuring perpetrators face punishment regardless of where they commit their crimes.

In the last 20 years, FBI data show a 67% decrease in domestic violence incidents nationwide.

Unfortunately, we still hear, "Why doesn't she just leave," or "It's none of my business." Until we realize that victims are not responsible for their abuse, they will have a hard time feeling empowered. We should look at the offender and ask, "Why does he abuse his partner?." When we do, the answer will be obvious, "Because it works for him." The solution is to make sure it doesn't work anymore.

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Amanda Marshall is the United States Attorney for the District of Oregon. Nominated by President Barack Obama in November of 2010, Ms. Marshall was confirmed by the US Senate in September of 2011. As the chief federal law enforcement officer in Oregon, she oversees prosecution of all federal crimes and civil matters on behalf of the United States. A graduate of the University of Oregon in 1992 and received her law degree and Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Willamette University College of Law in 1995. While in Law School, Amanda served as the Tribal Court Clerk for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon.

posted October 19, 2012 8:30 am edt