In response to domestic violence and human trafficking in Native American communities, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) led a congressional call on Friday for federal officials to undergo training to help recognize and respond to those situations.
Hoeven, the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, led a bipartisan group of nine senators in calling for enhanced training for federal officials working in Indian country in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman Jonodev Chaudhuri.
“The presence of federal officials across Indian Country could serve as an important resource in our efforts to combat human trafficking,” Hoeven said. “Connecting these federal employees with the training and education they need to recognize and help prevent these crimes against Native Americans is an important step. As chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, I will continue to advance this and similar efforts to promote greater public safety throughout tribal communities.”
The letter cites Department of Justice estimates that approximately 3 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) have experienced violence in their lifetime, and data from the Government Accountability Office shows that AIANs are at elevated risk for being victimized by human trafficking.
“More education on how to identify these crimes and connect tribal community members to crime prevention and victim resources is an important first step,” the letter states. “It is imperative that individuals working on the public — including Bureau of Indian Affairs enforcement, Indian Health Services care providers and Indian gaming personnel — receive training to spot, stop and respond to human trafficking and domestic violence in the communities they serve.”
Hoeven previously introduced legislation to increase funding for the Crime Victims Fund to help tribal communities better provide victim-centered services using penalties levied against federal offenders. Additionally, Hoeven is a cosponsor of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act.