via Law Librarians of Congress

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), reauthorized in 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 takes effect on March 7, 2015, but also authorizes a voluntary “Pilot Project” to allow certain nations to begin exercising SDVCJ sooner. On February 6, 2014, The Department of Justice (DOJ) partnered with the Pascua Yaqui Nation in Arizona, the Tulalip Tribes in Washington, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla in Oregon

VAWA is no small gesture; since Congress initially passed VAWA, annual incidents of domestic violence have decreased by 60%. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), four in ten American Indian and Alaska Native women experience rape, physical violence, and stalking from a domestic partner at some point in their lives, a much higher rate than the national average of one in five for black and white (non-Hispanic) women in the United States.

For not only do American Indian and Alaska Native women suffer a far greater rate of domestic violence than the national average, but prior to this new pilot, they were also caught in a strange limbo of court jurisdiction.

Despite having their own constitutions and corporate charters {the Umatilla and Tulalip Constitutions, and the Tulalip Corporate Charter are available to read on the Law Library’s American Indian Constitutions and Legal Materials Web page] and treaties with the United States [the Tulalip treaty is in the Library’s general collection], tribal courts could not do anything to prosecute violent crimes committed by non-Indians in Indian country.

Thanks to the significant efforts of tribal governments, particularly the efforts of Deborah Parker, vice chairwoman of the Tulalip Tribes who worked with Senator Patty Murray to advocate for the new tribal provisions of VAWA 2013, tribal governments have gained greater jurisdiction and greater sovereignty. Best of all, according to tribal leaders, the tribal governments achieve the satisfying sense of being better able to protect their own people.

by Kurt Carroll & Jennifer Davis

As ever, when scammers spot a crisis in the world, they are there to take advantage. It’s true after natural disasters, when scammers set up fake charities that look and sound like real ones to try to get your money. And it’s true now that millions of people want to support the Ukrainian people. If you’re one of them, take a moment to make sure your generosity really benefits the people and groups you intend.

Here are some places to start.

• Check out the organization. Search online for the name of the group, plus words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” See if others have had good or bad experiences with the charity. And see what charity watchdog groups say about that organization.
• Slow down. You don’t have to give immediately. It’s a good idea to do some research first to make sure your donation goes where you want it go.  
• Find out how your money will be spent. Ask, for example, how much of your donation will go to the program you want to help? If someone calls to ask to donate, they should be able to answer those critical questions.
• Know who’s asking. Don’t assume a request to donate is legitimate because a friend posted it on social media. Your friend might not personally know the charity or how it spends money.
• Look at fees and timing, especially if you’re donating through social media. Be sure to make sure what organization your donation goes to, check whether there are fees, and how quickly your money gets to them. And if you can’t find the answers quickly, consider donating in other ways.

Your generosity can make a difference any time you give — especially if you take a few minutes to make sure your donation goes where you mean it to. Learn more at ftc.gov/charity.