In April 2007 Amnesty International produced a report on the high incidence of sex crimes committed against Native American women, especially by non-Native men. According to the report, Native women are two and a half times more likely to be raped than American women of any other background. Following the report, U.S. Congress allocated $1 million to combat sexual violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women. Another $1 million will be used to fund a more general study on violence against Native women.
As reported by National Public Radio, tribal police, state and federal law enforcement agencies have overlapping, and often unclear, jurisdictions. The confusion often results in no law enforcement response to reports of violence against Native American women, which leaves them at risk for more violence because the perpetrators often go unpunished.
Compiled from: "Congress Responds to Violence," Cheers and Jeers of the Week: Women's E-News, 28 July 2007.