Bar Assoc. Hails Tribal Law Signing

WASHINGTON — Sexual assault and domestic abuse have no place in any American community, so the high levels of both in Indian tribal territories must be lowered using every available tool. The signing of the Tribal Law and Order Act, with its numerous provisions to fight these and other violent crimes, is a critical, positive step forward.

This law authorizes important new funding for tribal justice systems; lowers barriers to protecting the safety of American Indian and Alaska Native women; gives tribal officials new methods for crime fighting; and improves coordination while also increasing accountability. There are numerous ways the law will work against gender-based violence, including the promise of better funding, community-based projects and efforts that better hold the perpetrators accountable. The representatives and senators who worked across party lines to make this bill become law deserve our praise and our thanks. We urge Congress to now act to appropriate funds to match the authorization.

The ABA hails signing of this measure into law and is pleased to have worked vigorously for provision of these important crime-prevention steps.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.