Native women tell Senate panel of violence, assaults

Friday, September 28, 2007  

INDIANZ.COM LISTENING LOUNGE Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on the prevalence of violence against Indian women. • Business Meeting | Opening Statements | Testimony | Q&A • OVERSIGHT HEARING on the prevalence of violence against Indian women (September 27, 2007)

Native women and their advocates shared stories of violence and survival at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on Thursday.

Alex Arriaga of Amnesty International said Native women have been talking about high rates of violence for decades. But the issue hasn't gained much attention so Amnesty put out a report this past spring that calls attention to the problem.

Jami Rozell, a member of the Cherokee Nation, talked about her victimization. She said she was told not to press charges and when she finally decided to seek justice, all of the evidence had been destroyed.

Tammy Young of the Alaska Native Women's Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault cited the high rates of violence against Alaska Native women. She said women in rural areas face greater obstacles when they are the victims of assault.

Karen Artichoker, the director of Sacred Circle in South Dakota, talked about her efforts to help battered and abused women. "It is a rare Indian woman who has escaped some sort of violence in her life," she said.

Riyaz Kanji, an attorney, said Congress has the power to restore full tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians. He cautioned that constitutional protections need to be addressed in order to withstand court scrutiny.

Get the Story:
Senate hears stories of sexual assault on reservations (AP 9/28)

Committee Notice:
OVERSIGHT HEARING on the prevalence of violence against Indian women (September 27, 2007)

Amnesty International Report:
Full Report | Press Release

Online Discussion:
Violence against Native American and Alaska Native Women (April 24, 2007)

Relevant Links:
Join Voices with Native American and Alaska Native Women and Take Action to Stop the Violence - http://www.amnestyusa.org/maze

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