The Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona is currently prosecuting five non-Indian domestic violence offenders, KJZZ reports.

The tribe is one the first to exercise authority under S.47, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. The law recognizes tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians who commit domestic violence offenses on reservations.

"What it says is that we as your tribal government in the place where you live are able to protect you and keep you safe in your homes and in your community as opposed to relying on outside governments to do that," Amanda Lomayesva, the tribe's attorney general, told KJZZ.

VAWA requires the tribe to protect the constitutional rights of non-Indian offenders. Challenges can be taken to federal court.

Get the Story:
Pascua Yaqui Begins Prosecuting Non-Natives Under VAWA (KJZZ 3/31)

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