"In Montana, there were more reports of domestic abuse than there were babies born last year, amounting to more than 11,000 cases, said CSKT Chairman James Steele.

Also, domestic violence on the Flathead Reservation is among the highest in the Bureau of Indian Affairs region that serves Montana, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, said Craige Couture, CSKT chief of police.

Rally speakers also talked about the troubling effect drug, alcohol and domestic abuse has on children. In one month, Lake County and the tribal police referred nearly 30 children who suffered sexual abuse to child protection services, said Couture.

The Salish and Kootenai tribes are revising tribal codes to better protect children.

�It's to protect the rights of those most vulnerable; those most vulnerable are our children,� Steele said. The comment period for revising the code has been extended for 30 days beyond the original deadline.

The rally was organized by Louise Stasso, a CSKT tribal citizen, in recognition of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month."

Get the Story:
Community rallies against abuse, drugs (The Missoulian 10/7)

Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave

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