Senate Committee on Indian Affairs takes next step to move bill forward

December 9, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced he will co-sponsor the Stand Against Violence and Empower Native Women (SAVE Native Women) Act to help protect Native American women from acts of violence and sex trafficking. The legislation was recently introduced by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and moved closer to a full vote in the Senate this week after the Senate Committee on Indians Affairs passed the bill out of committee by a unanimous voice vote.

“The SAVE Native Women Act takes steps to address the epidemic of violence against Native women,” Reid said. “Abuse and sex trafficking of women will not be tolerated, and I will continue to support legislation that helps keep tribal communities safe in Nevada and all of Indian Country.”

Developed in conjunction with tribal organizations, Native American women’s coalitions, federal agencies, and national justice organizations, this legislation includes improvements to the Violence Against Women Act that will provide greater resources to address domestic violence, assist victims of sex trafficking and strengthen tribal jurisdiction.

BACKGROUND

In September, Senator Reid announced grants totaling $1.6 million for the STOP Violence Against Women Program and the Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP).

Reid has been a longtime advocate for funding to combat domestic violence. Since the 1990s, he has secured millions of dollars for Nevada organizations to protect women by providing services such as counseling and other preventative measures to victims of violence.

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