"President Barack Obama has carried out his promise to enact new measures aimed at bringing down the level of crime in Indian country.

Some Oklahoma Indian leaders were on hand Thursday for the ceremonial signing of the new law, which backers hope will help address what some say is a crisis in law enforcement on Indian lands.

In signing the Tribal Law and Order Act, Obama said it is unconscionable that crime rates in Indian country are more than twice the national average. On some reservations, crime is 20 times the national average, he said.

Recent studies have shown that one out of three Native American women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime.

At the signing ceremony, one Indian woman gave strong testimony to the need for such a measure. Lisa Marie Iyotte had difficulty telling the story of her violent beating and rape, witnessed by her children, on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota 16 years ago.

She said her assault was never prosecuted and the perpetrator attacked another woman before he was brought to justice."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Justice delayed (The Tulsa World 8/2)

Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act:
H.R.725

Tribal Law and Order Act:
S.797 | H.R.1924

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