Violence Against Women Act

Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted 78-22 to renew and expand the Violence Against Women Act.  The legislation includes a provision that allows tribal courts to prosecute non-Indian women on reservations.  According to the Indian Law Resource Center, Indian women are 2.5 times more likely to be assaulted and more than twice as likely to be stalked than other women in the country.  Terri Henry talked about the epidemic of violence in Indian country and how the VAWA addresses the problem.  Henry is Principal Director of Clan Star, Inc., a not-for-profit organization devoted to improving justice and strengthen the sovereignty of Indigenous women.  Henry is also co-chair of the National Congress of American Indian Task Force on Violence Against Women and serves on the board of the Indian Law Resource Center.