Violence against American Indian women and the Services-Training-Officers-Prosecutors Violence Against Indian Women (STOP VAIW) Program

When Congress appropriated funds to develop ways to reduce violence against American Indian women, tribal elders faced a challenging task: find ways to cooperate with various tribal and nontribal criminal justice agencies and navigate the maze of law enforcement authority. An evaluative study was conducted of these programs and the different approaches used to help keep women safe by American Indian tribal governments. This study found that the tribes rose to the challenge; the money was making a difference. The grants to stop violence against Indian women have made a significant impact in the 134 native communities that received awards.