Written Testimony Wanted on Violence against Native Women

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

Tribal Law & Order Act

HELENA, MONTANA - The Indian Law Resource Center, based in Helena, Montana, is requesting American Indian tribal leaders and Native women's advocacy groups to contribute in the dialogue and weigh in on the effectiveness of the Tribal Law and Order Act. The organization posted the following announcement on its website:

On September 22, 2011, the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held an oversight hearing, "Tribal Law and Order Act One Year Later: Have We Improved Public Safety and Justice Throughout Indian Country?" There is still time for tribal leaders and Native women's advocacy groups to contribute to the dialogue and weigh in on the effectiveness of the Tribal Law and Order Act, specifically, whether it has helped secure public safety in Native communities and how best to further improve federal laws and policies.

While much promise was tied to the Tribal Law and Order Act, it appears that few meaningful changes have been implemented. Most notably, no tribe is exercising enhanced sentencing authority under the Act. While some tribes are interested, the costs associated with exercising this authority requires careful planning in the absence of increased funding to support these efforts.

Violence against Native women has now reached epidemic levels. One in three Native women is raped in her lifetime. Three in five experience domestic abuse. The truth of the matter is that few of these women will ever see their perpetrators brought to justice.

Tribal leaders and Native women's advocacy groups are especially encouraged to submit written testimony to the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs before October 6, 2011. Testimony should be submitted by email to: testimony@indian.senate.gov.

posted September 30, 2011 6:55 am edt