The Tribal Law and Order Act will help tribes combat violence against women, attendees of the first national symposium on the new law said.

The law provides more training for tribal law enforcement officers. They will be able to help women who are the victims of domestic violence.

"If you see the evidence, the bruising or a facial expression - even with just a facial expression you can tell something happened - that probable cause will allow the police officer to make that arrest and stop the violence," former Navajo Nation police officer Francine Bradley-Arthur said at the Tribal Law and Order Act Symposium, the Associated Press reported.

The law also requires the Indian Health Service to establish consistent protocols to help assault victims. "It's a protocol that's been used in mainstream America for going on 30 years, and it just has been denied to Native women," said Sarah Deer, an assistant law professor, the AP reported.

According to the Department of Justice, one in three Native American women will be raped in their lifetimes and two-fifths will suffer from domestic violence. Native women are more likely to be victimized than any other racial or ethnic group.

Get the Story:
Federal law takes on crimes against Indian women (AP 10/20)
New Law Broadens Tribal Powers (The Albuquerque Journal 10/21)

Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act:
H.R.725

Tribal Law and Order Act:
S.797 | H.R.1924

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