Native women more likely to be sexually assaulted

Native American women are nearly three times more likely to be sexually assaulted than women of other racial and ethnic backgrounds, according to a recent Amnesty International report.

Most Native women say their perpetrators are of another race. Yet tribal governments cannot prosecute non-tribal members or non-Indians.

"Tribal governments should have the authority and capacity to make it safe for women on tribal land Zara Dittman, a recent University of Wisconsin-Parkside graduate who helped Amnesty prepare the report. She met with survivors and advocates on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.

Get the Story:
Indian women at risk, study says (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 11/29)

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
Senate Indian Affairs Committee - http://indian.senate.gov

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