Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Native Communities

The federal government has a unique duty to Indian Tribes to assist in the protection of the health and welfare of Native American people and children. Public safety in Native communities is a problem. Criminals prey on Native women and children and putting tribal communities in harm's way. Tribes that opt to exercise special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction can cut through the legal red tape to enforce protection orders and prosecute domestic violence crimes, all while safeguarding defendants' due process and constitutional rights.