On the recordApril 3, 2019
As we have heard over and over today, and justifiably so, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act is critical for women across this country. This bill will ensure the safety of women, especially Native American women. My amendment will expand the definition of domestic violence to include violence against or witnessed by a child or elder, as defined by Tribal law. This important amendment will allow Tribes to ensure that perpetrators acting violently toward or near children or elders receive consequences for their actions. The Tulalip Tribe is one of the first Tribes to implement the Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction from the 2013 Violence Against Women Act reauthorization. They immediately experienced the implications of not having this protection for children and elders in their jurisdiction. Of the 30 cases they received in Tribal court, 20 involved children and/or elders. Although the violence impacted the child or the elder, the Tribal court was not able to prosecute. When the jurisdiction moved to the State, it did not prosecute the remaining 20 cases in State court. Justice was not served for the children and/or the elders experiencing violence.…
