This legislation is important for all North Dakotans, but particularly American Indian women. Thankfully, the provisions I fought for that give American Indians the same protections as non-Indians are included in the reauthorization that passed both the Senate and House. Women in Indian Country experience abuse at a very high rate, and our bill includes specific provisions designed to make them safer. I repeatedly said that I would not support a VAWA reauthorization that did not protect American Indian women. My position was strengthened when I discussed the law with women in Indian Country during my tour. We agreed that the provisions in the bill will go a long way to stop violence on our reservations. Currently, tribal prosecutors cannot prosecute non-Indians on the reservation. For example, if a non-Indian is traveling through a reservation and sexually assaults someone, the tribe cannot punish the perpetrator. It falls to the Department of Justice to prosecute, but the DOJ often lacks the resources to consider such cases.Get the Story:
HEIDI HEITKAMP: N.D. agrees: Violence Against Women Act works (The Grand Forks Herald 3/2)
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