Post by blackcrowheart on Apr 2, 2006 16:47:16 GMT -5
Native Women (abuse)
www.hometownsource.com/capitol/2006/March/29nativeamericans.html
Advocates for battered women say Native American women more likely to be
abused than any other racial group
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Native American women are more than three times likely to suffer rape or
domestic abuse than any other racial group, say advocates for battered
women.
At a Capitol press conference on Wednesday (March 29), the memories of
three victims of domestic violence were enshrined on shirts as speakers
detailed the problem of domestic abuse and rape affecting Native America
women.
Lonna Stevens, Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, noted that 80
percent of the men who rape and batter Native American women are
themselves not Native Americans.
Indeed, advocates consider the violence against Native American women as
hate crimes, Stevens said.
There’s a definite racial component, she explained.
One problem with arresting the batters of Native American women is
jurisdictional, advocates explained.
On reservations, tribal authorities have jurisdiction over tribal
members.
Nontribal members do not fall under their authority, it was explained.
One piece of legislation the advocates want passed deals with a
disconnect between tribal and state law.
Currently, not all orders for protection — orders to keep batterers away
from their victims — are entered into a statewide database, according to
the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women.
Because of this, some women are required to register their orders for
protection in each county they move or travel to have the protection
enforced.
Bills currently before the Legislature would allow foreign and tribal
orders of protection to be entered into the statewide database.
www.hometownsource.com/capitol/2006/March/29nativeamericans.html
Advocates for battered women say Native American women more likely to be
abused than any other racial group
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Native American women are more than three times likely to suffer rape or
domestic abuse than any other racial group, say advocates for battered
women.
At a Capitol press conference on Wednesday (March 29), the memories of
three victims of domestic violence were enshrined on shirts as speakers
detailed the problem of domestic abuse and rape affecting Native America
women.
Lonna Stevens, Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, noted that 80
percent of the men who rape and batter Native American women are
themselves not Native Americans.
Indeed, advocates consider the violence against Native American women as
hate crimes, Stevens said.
There’s a definite racial component, she explained.
One problem with arresting the batters of Native American women is
jurisdictional, advocates explained.
On reservations, tribal authorities have jurisdiction over tribal
members.
Nontribal members do not fall under their authority, it was explained.
One piece of legislation the advocates want passed deals with a
disconnect between tribal and state law.
Currently, not all orders for protection — orders to keep batterers away
from their victims — are entered into a statewide database, according to
the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women.
Because of this, some women are required to register their orders for
protection in each county they move or travel to have the protection
enforced.
Bills currently before the Legislature would allow foreign and tribal
orders of protection to be entered into the statewide database.