landmark legislation putting an end to the violence

(Amnesty International, Maze of Injustice)

Finally, the bill that inspired my American Indian series:

On July 23, 2010, the US House of Representatives passed on July 23, 2010 the Tribal Law and Order Act introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), in order to finally address the human rights violations detailed in the previous post.

This act intends to enhance and improve communication and coordination between Tribal law officials and state and federal authorities. It will also bolster tribal law enforcement--if convicted by tribal courts now, a rapist only gets a one year sentence--and health services. If these gaps are filled, maybe rape cases against Native Indigenous women will no longer fall through the cracks. Maybe, hopefully, perpetrators will know that they can no longer do such heinous things with impunity.

But this is just a start. For more information, and to lend your support, visit these sites:

Amnesty International
Coalition to Stop Violence against Native Women
Pretty Bird Woman House shelter
NYTimes article