NAWJ ANNOUNCES POSITION ON U.S. CONGRESS' VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT REAUTHORIZATION POSITION STATEMENT on VAWA REAUTHORIZATION

NAWJ is the nation’s leading voice for women jurists dedicated to preserving judicial independence and ensuring equal justice and access to the courts for women, minorities, and other historically disfavored groups. In accordance with this mission, NAWJ supports reauthorization of VAWA in a form that protects all victims of domestic violence and dating violence, including tribal victims living on reservations. Specifically, to improve the administration of justice, NAWJ supports the approach of the Senate version of the VAWA bill, which contains Section 904, a provision that would restore tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians for certain crimes of domestic violence and dating violence committed in Indian Country. It is important that VAWA protect all victims of domestic violence, including those tribal members who are victims of domestic violence committed in Indian Country.

Adopted by the Board at its Executive Committee Meeting on December 17, 2012.

Joan V. Churchill
Honorable Joan V. Churchill
President, NAWJ

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About the National Association of Women Judges
The National Association of Women Judges is a non-profit organization of more than 1,250 federal, state, administrative, tribal and military judges from across the country. For 34 years, NAWJ has served as the nation's leading voice for jurists dedicated to ensuring equal justice and access to the courts for women and other historically disfavored groups, providing judicial education on cutting-edge issues, and increasing the numbers and advancement of women.

For more information contact NAWJ Executive Director Marie Komisar 202-393-0222 ext. 10.