The United States House of Representatives has passed the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that tackles the complex jurisdictional maze that allows violent crime against Native American and Alaska Native women to flourish.
Amnesty International's 2007 report, Maze of Injustice, documented the failure of US authorities to address the high rates of sexual violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women.
The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009 is in direct response to concerns raised by tribal leaders, tribal organizations, Native American and Alaska Native women and the Maze of Injustice report. Specifically the Act will:
- clarify the responsibilities and increase coordination among federal, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies with respect to crimes committed in tribal communities;
- begin to restore tribal governments with authority, resources, and information to address crimes on tribal land;
- increase and standardize the collection and distribution of criminal data in tribal communities, including the data that establishes whether crimes are being prosecuted.
Sarah Deer, Assistant Professor at William Mitchell College of Law and a consultant for AIUSA’s Maze of Injustice report, said, "When victims know that their perpetrators will be held accountable for their behavior, they will be more likely to report crimes. Empowering tribal law enforcement personnel to protect their communities is the key."
