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Police and courts tend to ignore cases of violence involving Native American women due to alleged
confusion between federal and tribal jurisdiction. Law enforcement and attorneys often are not schooled to
deal with the cross-over in dealing between jurisdictions. Eileen Hudon, a sexual abuse counselor from the
Minnesota Tndian Women's Resource Center, said there is a "basic ignorance in the whole justice system."
This causes blatant violations of the rights of Native American women. Technically, cases involving a nonNative American perpetrator and Native American victim fall under federal jurisdiction. According to the
Department of Justice, 70% or more of violence experienced by Native American women is committed by
persons not of the same race. The problem of violence against Native American women is exacerbated by
federal apathy in law enforcement and the courts, and minimal funding for shelters, counseling, and
education in Native American communities.
The cycle of violence is continuing into the next generations of Native Americans. The Seminole Tribune
reported in June 1999, "Sexual assault and domestic violence are so widespread in Indian Country that
spousal abuse is occurring in younger and younger couples and it is not uncommon for date rape or date
physical abuse to occur among teenagers."
"Federal, tribal and state institutions have not made stopping violence against Native American women a
priority issue," says NOW National Board Member and Native American woman, Genevieve James. " NOW is
committed to raising awareness on the problem and will demand that Native American women receive full
protection against violence."
Re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act has appropriated over $4 million dollars to go toward
improving services to Native American women who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault and
stalking. However, crimes committed against Native American women still continue to be marginalized if
the United States Attorneys do not feel pressure to prosecute these crimes fairly.
NOW is urging that United States Attorney's offices develop statistics on crimes committed against Native
American women and make them public. NOW also encourages activists, chapters and states to contact the
United States Attorney General's Office and insist that battery, rape, sexual assault, and gender-based
violence committed against Native American women be prosecuted to the fullest extent by the law.
NOW will work to educate members and encourages activists to educate others about the growing epidemic
of violence against Native American women and to demand that adequate government funding be
administered for shelters, counseling, and education in Native American communities.
For more information concerning violence against Native American women, contact:
Mending the Sacred Hoop
202 East Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802
(218)-722-2781
Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center
2300 15th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612)-728-2000.
1995-2010, National Organization for Women, All rights reserved. Permission granted for noncommercial use.
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