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The United States Office of Justice Against Violence Against Women (OVW) today announced awards to 11 Indian tribal governments to help them exercise special criminal jurisdiction over domestic violence (SDVCJ). The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013) recognized the power of tribes to exercise SDVCJ over certain defendants, regardless of their Indian or non-Indian status, who commit crimes of domestic violence or dating violence or violate some protection orders in India. country.
“Tribal leaders have told us that they need to have access to funds to cover the daily costs of SDVCJ, and I am happy to report that the OVW is awarding eleven awards to implementing tribes to cover these costs, â€said OVW’s Senior Deputy Director. Allison Randall. “OVW is dedicated to working with tribes to meet the challenges of protecting victims and responding to offenders in their communities, as well as supporting tribal sovereignty.
The recipients of today’s one-year awards under the OVW Tribal Jurisdiction Program are: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina; Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, Montana; Muscogee Nation (Creek), Oklahoma; Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Michigan; Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Arizona; the S’klallam tribe of Port Gamble, Washington; Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico; Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma; and the Tulalip tribes of Washington.
The OVW Tribal Jurisdiction Program was authorized under VAWA 2013 and supports tribes with jurisdiction over the Indian country in the exercise of the SDVCJ. Tribal Jurisdiction Program funds can be used to strengthen tribal criminal justice systems, provide criminal defense to the indigent, conduct jury trials, and provide services and rights applicable to victims of crime. Costs may include, but are not limited to, incarceration costs (including medical treatment) for non-Indian SDVCJ defendants, trial costs for SDVCJ cases, defense attorney fees, costs associated with setting up a jury for a SDVCJ trial, the intervention of the abuser or others; the costs of supervision or programming before or after conviction and the associated training and technical assistance.
About the Office Against Violence Against Women
The Office Against Violence Against Women plays a leading role in developing the country’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and laws who as a result. Established in 1995, the OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that develop programs, policies and practices to end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and harassment criminal. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, the OVW undertakes initiatives in response to specific needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
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