Sexual Abuse on Native

Reservations
Anuhea Gampong
ENG 102
Abstract
The Native Americans have dealt with many issues throughout the years.

One of the most brought up issue is sexual abuse on the reservations. There have been

multiple reports on sexual misconduct on different reservations. Majority of the

treason were committed by non-natives.

As of 2013, the Tribal Coalitions Program have reauthorized the Violence

Against Women Act of 2000. The only flaw with this passing is the Act doesnt protect

women from the sexual abuse, child abuse, and rape. Native Women that are victims
Abstract Cont.
domestic violence are able to prosecute their inflicter. However, this only solves half of

the problem. (Gilpin, 2016)

Background
Native Americans, more likely native women, fall prey to domestic violence

and sexual abuse. The Violence Against Women Act of 2000 protects native women

from domestic abuse. This Act was reauthorized in 2013. This provided gateway for

tribal nations to prosecute non-tribal members for domestic violence theyre inflicted.

Although, this only takes care of half the problem. Around 56% of native women have

encountered sexual violence. Also, 84% of these native women encountered violence.
Background Cont.
This violence was inflicted upon them by non-tribal members. This study was

conducted on 2000 Native American and Alaskan Native women. (Gilder, 2016)
Proposal
In hopes of providing a safer community for the native people on the

reservations, Id like to propose an Act. Within this act, it would established the

authority for tribal nations to prosecute non-natives for inflicting sexual abuse, child

abuse, and rape upon the native people. In doing so, it decreases the risk of non-native

stepping onto native lands and bring immense trouble to the people.
Proposal Cont.
According to the tribal nations, they are only able to prosecute non-natives for

committing domestic violence. In bringing forth the next half of the issue it should

bring out a voice in victims of sexual abuse. When the voices are heard, the U.S. justice

systems should be able to take action as well.

Proposal Analysis
Enacting this Act would be able to protect Native men and women on the

reservation. Those whove been sexually assaulted are able to press charges on the

assaulter.
References
Parkey, Sydney. (2016) Native American mothers ask: 'What do I tell my daughter

when she is raped? TheGuardian. Retrieved from www.theguardian.com

Gilpin, Lyndsey. (2016) Why Native American women still have the highest rates of

rape and assault. High Country News. Retrieved October 13, 2017, from

http://www.hcn.org

Tribal Affairs. (2017, June 7). Retrieved October 23, 2017, from

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/tribal-affairs
References Cont.
Halldin, Amber. (2008). Restoring the Victim and the Community: A Look At the

Tribal Response to Sexual Violence Committed by Non-Indians in Indian

Country

Through Non- Criminal Approaches. North Dakota Law Review. Vol 84: 1, 1-20.