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Stand Against Violence And Empower Native Women Act (SAVE Native Women) introductory statement
Mon, October 31, 2011
U.S. Senate Floor Statement
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Stand Against Violence and Empower Native Women-SAVE Native Women-Act. I would like to thank the co-sponsors of my bill, my good friends Senators FRANKEN, UDALL of New Mexico, INOUYE, BEGICH, MURRAY, JOHNSON of South Dakota, BINGAMAN, TESTER, and BAUCUS.
Native women across the country suffer from severe threats to their safety. According to a study by the Department of Justice, two-in-five girls and women in Native communities will suffer domestic violence, and one-in-three will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Can you imagine looking into the loving eyes of your daughter, sister or mother and know that one of them will probably be abused in their lifetime? This is the terrible reality of life for Native women and their families across the country. It is an epidemic. It is unacceptable. And, we must stand against it. This is why I am introducing the SAVE Native Women Act.
Most of those who commit these terrible crimes against Native women are not Native themselves. Yet, currently tribes have no ability to prosecute non-Natives for domestic violence and sexual assault in their own communities. This has resulted in a sense of lawlessness and leaves Native women with few places to turn. My bill strengthens tribal jurisdiction over domestic violence and sexual assault so that all offenders-Native and non-Native-can be brought to justice.
My bill also strengthens existing programs that support Native victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. In many communities, these programs offer the only safety and support available for our Native women, and yet these programs are greatly strained. This bill provides programs with more flexibility and tools to address their most critical needs.
Finally, my bill addresses the disturbing trend of sex trafficking in many Native communities. I have included provisions that improve data gathering and strengthen programs to better understand and respond to sex trafficking of Native women.
I have worked closely with tribes, tribal organizations, and federal agencies to develop this bill. We should not let the next generation of young Native women grow up as their mothers have-in unbearable situations that threaten their security, stability, and even their lives. I urge you to join me and my co-sponsors to stand against violence and support passage of the SAVE Native Women Act.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Stand Against Violence and Empower Native Women-SAVE Native Women-Act. I would like to thank the co-sponsors of my bill, my good friends Senators FRANKEN, UDALL of New Mexico, INOUYE, BEGICH, MURRAY, JOHNSON of South Dakota, BINGAMAN, TESTER, and BAUCUS.
Native women across the country suffer from severe threats to their safety. According to a study by the Department of Justice, two-in-five girls and women in Native communities will suffer domestic violence, and one-in-three will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Can you imagine looking into the loving eyes of your daughter, sister or mother and know that one of them will probably be abused in their lifetime? This is the terrible reality of life for Native women and their families across the country. It is an epidemic. It is unacceptable. And, we must stand against it. This is why I am introducing the SAVE Native Women Act.
Most of those who commit these terrible crimes against Native women are not Native themselves. Yet, currently tribes have no ability to prosecute non-Natives for domestic violence and sexual assault in their own communities. This has resulted in a sense of lawlessness and leaves Native women with few places to turn. My bill strengthens tribal jurisdiction over domestic violence and sexual assault so that all offenders-Native and non-Native-can be brought to justice.
My bill also strengthens existing programs that support Native victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. In many communities, these programs offer the only safety and support available for our Native women, and yet these programs are greatly strained. This bill provides programs with more flexibility and tools to address their most critical needs.
Finally, my bill addresses the disturbing trend of sex trafficking in many Native communities. I have included provisions that improve data gathering and strengthen programs to better understand and respond to sex trafficking of Native women.
I have worked closely with tribes, tribal organizations, and federal agencies to develop this bill. We should not let the next generation of young Native women grow up as their mothers have-in unbearable situations that threaten their security, stability, and even their lives. I urge you to join me and my co-sponsors to stand against violence and support passage of the SAVE Native Women Act.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.
