Tribal Implementation of the Violence Against Women Act

On April 1, 2015 the ABA Journal posted an online article entitled Indian Tribes Are Retaking Jurisdiction Over Domestic Violence on Their Own Land.  The article details how tribes are working to implement the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2013.  As described on the U.S. Department of Justice website, "VAWA 2013 recognizes tribes' inherent power to exercise "special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction" (SDVCJ) over certain defendants, regardless of their Indian or non-Indian status, who commit acts of domestic violence or dating violence or violate certain protection orders in Indian country. This new law generally took effect on March 7, 2015, but also authorized a voluntary "Pilot Project" to allow certain tribes to begin exercising SDVCJ sooner."

On Tuesday, March 31, the University of South Dakota School of Law, Acting U.S. Attorney Chris C. Myers, District of North Dakota; and Deborah R. Gilg, U.S. Attorney, District of Nebraska; co-sponsered a conference on Tribal Implementation of the Violence Against Women Act.  A press release regarding the conference is available here.  The Press Release also provides a link to the agenda for the conference.

Law Library Director Jackson attended the conference and was able to discuss resources with representatives from some of the tribes participating in the pilot program. Associate Dean Graham participated as a panel member.