A survey conducted by five tribes in northern California found an extremely high rate of domestic violence.

Nearly 50 percent of the women who responded said they were victims of violence, according to California Health Report. And 43 percent said they didn't feel that local law enforcement treated their cases seriously.

“I went to court once, and it went to pre-trial, and the judge told me if there was another domestic violence incident that brought me to court, they were going to send CPS to get my kids, and they would take me and my husband to jail,” said a woman who participated in a focus group for the study, according to California Health Report. “And now I feel that I can’t turn to anybody if I have an issue."

Tribes will now be able to prosecute and handle all domestic violence cases in their own courts under provisions in S.47, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The new law recognizes tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians.

Get the Story:
New VAWA provides unprecedented protection for Native American women (California Health Report 5/2)

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