The Arizona House of Representatives unanimously voted to form a committee addressing violence against Native American women.
American Indian women are murdered and go missing at disproportionately high rates and more than half have experienced sexual violence. According to the Urban Indian Health Institute, Arizona had the third highest number of missing or murdered Native women.
“Thank you for your support,” said Rep. Arlando Teller, addressing the 22 tribal advocates who attended Monday’s vote. “This is very important for us to address what is happening, what is going on here.”
The billnow heads to the state Senate. If signed into law, it would create a task force to research the reasons behind violence, gather data and present a report with recommendations in November.
