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Using Federal Law To Prosecute Domestic Violence Crimes in Indian Country Video Preview Transcript

[Ms. Pouley speaks on-screen. She continues speaking as we see black and white photographs of American Indian and Alaska Native persons. She then speaks on-screen again.]

Theresa Pouley: Domestic violence in Indian Country, I think, really comes from sort of a historical perspective. Women were treated poorly by Europeans who were invading or conquering the Indian Nations. And in particular, they devalued women and their role in Native societies. Really for 200 years, no one heard their cries.

[Judge Greeley speaks as we see a newspaper headline, "Why doesn’t domestic violence ever stop?" Judge Greely speaks on-screen. He continues speaking as we see images of a courtroom, followed by a newspaper headline, "Batterer sentenced to prison for 46-month term".]

Judge Greeley: Domestic violence is passed on from generation to generation. And I think the court may be in a position to assist in breaking that cycle through aggressive efforts in sentencing that help to address that problem for the defendants as well as the victims.

[Beckee Stone speaks on-screen. She continues speaking as we see photographs documenting her abuse.]

Beckee Stone: It’s been 2 years that he’s been locked up and I’ve had no contact with him. And if I just think about some of the things he did to me, it’s terrifying.

[Nichole Emery-Witt speaks on-screen.]

Nichole Emery-Witt: Nobody was willing to really start talking about the harsh abuse that a lot of our women deal with, live with for years.

[Robert Marchand speaks as we see Nichole Emery-Witt and Mr. Marchand working together in Ms Emery-Witt’s office. Robert Marchand speaks on-screen.]

Robert Marchand: It’s a community problem. We have to work together to combat this crime and to protect victims.

[Theresa Pouley speaks as we see photographs of American Indian and Alaska Native women.]

Theresa Pouley: Once you start addressing the cries and they understand that someone is listening, we can hold the perpetrator accountable, but at the same time empower the victim.

[Title screen displays "Using Federal Law To Prosecute Domestic Violence Crimes in Indian Country".]

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