UNITED STATES: Task Force Takes Look at Violence and Women

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Michael W. Cotter recently announced the formation and inaugural meeting of the Violence Against Women Federal and Tribal Prosecution Task Force.

"We know too well that tribal communities face unique law enforcement challenges and are struggling to reverse unacceptable rates of violence against women and children," Holder said.

"The creation of the Violence Against Women Tribal Prosecution Task Force has been a priority for me since my visit with tribal leaders last year, and I believe it is a critical step in our work to improve public safety and strengthen coordination and collaboration concerning prosecution strategies with tribal communities," he added.

The task force also includes a group of advisers and liaisons from the Justice Department's Office of Violence Against Women, health care professionals and law enforcement officials.

The task force is directed to produce a trial practice manual on the federal prosecution of violence against women in Indian Country within the first year. In the short term, the task force will explore issues raised by professionals in the field and recommend "best practices" in prosecution strategies involving domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

In 2005, Congress found that one in three Native American women are raped during their lifetimes, and Native American women are nearly three times more likely to be battered in their lifetimes than Caucasian women.

United States Attorney Deborah Gilg of the District of Nebraska, six Assistant United States attorneys working in Indian Country and six representatives from tribal governments comprise the Task Force. They include: Gilg, Tribal Prosecutor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane S. Cabrera, Crow Tribe and District of Montana; Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia Hurd, District of Montana; Assistant U.S. Attorney Glynette R. Carson McNabb, District of New Mexico; Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg S. Peterman, District of South Dakota; Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Roe, Western District of Washington; Assistant U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins, District of Utah; Department of Justice National Indian Country Training Coordinator Leslie A. Hagen; Deputy Attorney General M. Brent Leonhard, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation or Oregon; Chief Judge Theresa M. Pouley, Tulalip Tribal Court in Washington; Chief Prosecutor Sheri Freemont, Salt River Pima Maricopa in Arizona; Tribal Attorney Michelle Rivard Parks, Spirit Lake Tribe of North Dakota; and staff attorney Joshua Breedlove of the Mississippi Choctow.