The Violence Against Women Act of 2005 seeks to protect Native women from domestic violence.

Statistics show that Native women are victims of violence at the highest rates in the nation. Most of the offenders are non-Native.

S.1197 toughens punishments for people who commit domestic violence. It creates a new tribal deputy director in the Office on Violence Against Women, a new tribal database for domestic violence and protection orders and a new tribal sex offender registry.

Tribal leaders and Native advocates have praised the bill although provisions to restore tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-Natives are not included.

Get the Story:
Minority women face cultural barriers (The Green Bay Press-Gazette 9/28)

Domestic Violence Reauthorization Bill:
S.1197: Violence Against Women Act of 2005

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