ICTMN: Three Tribes to Begin Prosecuting Non-Indian Domestic Violence Offenders

Three pilot tribes have been chosen by the Obama Administration to take early advantage of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provisions passed by Congress last year that allow tribes to prosecute non-Indian offenders for domestic violence offenses on reservations. The Justice Department announced February 6 that the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, the Tulalip Tribes … Read more

NYTimes: Rape on the Reservation

TWO Republicans running for Congressional seats last year offered opinions on “legitimate rape” or God-approved conceptions during rape, tainting their party with misogyny. Their candidacies tanked. Words matter. Having lost the votes of many women, Republicans now have the chance to recover some trust. The Senate last week voted resoundingly to reauthorize the Violence Against … Read more

President Obama Signs VAWA Reauthorization into Law!

President Barack Obama this morning signed into law the reauthorized Violence Against Women Act that includes tribal provisions. “Previously, tribes had no jurisdiction over non-tribal members, even if they are married to Native women or reside on native lands. But as soon as I sign this bill, that ends,” Obama said before the signing. Read … Read more

Huffington Post: Violence Against Women Act: Eric Cantor, Joe Biden In Talks Amid Stalled Tribal Provision

Jennifer Bendery Posted: 12/06/2012 5:18 pm EST Updated: 12/06/2012 8:05 pm EST WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden is quietly working with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) to try to pass an inclusive version of the Violence Against Women Act in the lame-duck Congress. And so far, sources tell HuffPost, Cantor is on board … Read more