[Thunderwolf]

July 31, 2007

In response to a recent Amnesty International report detailing the disproportionately high levels of rape and other forms of sexual abuse committed against Native American women, the US House of Representatives has authorized $2 million in funding to protect Native women from sexual assault. Passed by a 412-18 vote, the budget amendment calls for the allocation of $1 million to create a tribal sex offender registry and for an additional $1 million to fund a baseline study on violence against Native women.

The 113-page Amnesty report, released in April, found that indigenous women are at least twice as likely to be sexually assaulted as other women in the US. One in every three indigenous women will be raped or sexually abused in their lifetime.



The remainder of the article can be read here:
http://www.msmagazine.com/news/uswirestory.asp?ID=10454

[Medicine Eagle]

Could you please clarify some questions for me please? I would love to know who voted against this.Is it dangerous to work on the reservation? Since this is where I plan to work, it leaves me a little nervous. I have always thought that Tribal law was THE law on any reservation. I was unaware that it mattered weither you were NAI or not. Would bringing these animals back on the reservation for prosecution by Tribal law, the same as extraditing them from another country like say France? It was my understanding that all reservations were essentially a country unto themselves. Basically a seperate country within the USA.
I also am confused about setting up a Tribal sex offender registry. Is that for the 16 percent of attacks that are by NAI men? Or will it include all sex offenders to keep them off the reservation? I read the article and could not really get see clarification on these questions.
I would also add that sex offender registrys are being attacked non-stop, stating that this is against these animals rights. The state of Missouri's Supreme Court just ruled that if the offense was committed before a certain date, that the offender had to be removed from the registry. If you are on the registry you have to check in with the police every 6 months and have your picture taken. All of them are listed on line with the current photo, so that the community that these animals live in can be aware of their presence and watch out for them. I personally know an officer who was responsible for this. He quit his job after this was passed. Because some of the most violent offenders were the ones being taken off, and he could not deal with it.
I would add that the way this money is to be spent is foolish. It would make more sense to buy rape kits and supply the reservtions with nurses trained in collecting rape kits and the care of assaulted women. Who needs another study? It is the women who need help, not a researcher. It would also be well spent on education about assaults and even self defense courses for women. In the hope that the number of rapes would decrease, or at least be prosecuted.
We do have nurses who specialize in rape victims and the collection of evidence. As an ER nurse I have done this many times, and the proper collection of evidence is crucial. Also the evidence has to be sealed and guarded by the same nurse who collected it, until you hand the sealed evidence to the police. If there is a break down anywhere in this process the animal who committed the crime can get off. Also the victim needs very specialized care provided by someone who cares, and reasurance that she did nothing wrong.
I am sorry this has become so long Thunderwolf, but this subject is very close to my heart. I was a victim myself at 14 yo. and the care I recieved was horrible, and the animals who did it are walking free. Never spent a day in jail. I volunteer for these cases when they come into the ER ,so that I KNOW that the victim is very well cared for and there is no break in the chain of evidence.
Tired Brave Heart

[Thunderwolf]

I attempted to go back to the article....but the link doesn't work any more...hmmmm. Anyway, this has been a frustrating situation. Tribal Law applies to NAI on NAI land. See the other thread that I posted that notes this difference and frustration.
http://allnurses.com/forums/f239/leg...ds-239152.html

In this case, non NAI "animals" appear to prey on NAI women without much recourse. Where there is poverty and inequality under law, there will be increased incidents of crime. Regarding the register, yes that will need to be clarified further....but it is a start. When it comes to the Indian, injustice has been a historical rampant beast all its own.....either causing folks to mount in loud protest or to become apathetic due to the loss of hope.

Rape is a heinous crime. And truly, those who commit it have lowered themselves to their lowest form. To call them "animals" is disrespectful....not to the criminals....but to the animals (the 4 legged, the winged, the finned) in general. Even the animals do not commit rape....only humans do who are corrupt. No....rapists are far more lower than the animals. And if found guilty...well, in my humble opinion, when a person forceably removes the rights from members of society (ie rape), society has all the right to remove/curtail the rights of that person for the good of that society. So, as long as there is injustice from legal loopholes, the criminals will be there, seeking out their victims....for it is the way of the criminal. In this example, the legal inequalities involving the issue of rape....on the Rez.

TiredBraveHeart, your angst is felt and understood. It is good to have an ER nurse like yourself, knowing the ins and outs, to be there just in case another victim rolls thru the door. I am sorry for your own past, though. But, you are using your own pain in an appropriate way to help others....being the best provider you can be....knowing the fine details to monitor and watch out for.

By the time it becomes a governmental issue, it has already been an issue that has been around for a long time. Is that the answer?...the government? Simply put...No. On the Rez or any city block for that matter....effective intervention often comes down to a grass root effort....much via continued education, obtaining and training dedicated volunteers, putting local services into place, and lobbying to help change the laws. Grass root efforts....making society safer one block at a time. TiredBraveHeart....I like your ideas. Thank you for joining allnurses.

Peace.

[sirI]

Thank you, Thunderwolf, my brother.

Very good observations and comments, TireBraveHeart.

I just wanted to add that you might even consider Forensic Nursing and utilize your knowledge that way, too. Since you have a strong ED background, going into forensics seems like it would be a good fit for you.

Just a thought..........

[Medicine Eagle]

Thunderwolf you are correct. Animals,the four legged and other kinds, do not commit rape. I stand corrected and ashamed. I was using the term "animal" very loosely. I can not post the names that I would normally use to refer to these people. As far as I am concerned, I feel that they are so evil that they no longer are a part of the human race. I have a great respect for animals of all kinds. I am glad you pointed out that the use of that term even loosely is disgraceful and disrespectful to animals.

Getting back to the topic at hand. My main concern is for those women and for those who will be attacked. Long before finding this site, I was a strong advocate for NAIs. I understand, as much as possible the atrocities that have been committed against NAI. I have always been a very vocal advocate. I have been unable to find a way to help. I am hoping that working as a nurse on a rez. will give me an opprotunity to help in a small way. Peace my brother.
TiredBraveHeart

[Thunderwolf]

Thank you, sirI. And thank you, TiredBraveHeart. In heart and mind, we are but family. My prayers go out to you, TiredBraveHeart...to seek a blessing in honor of the work you set out to do.