Improving Law Enforcement Domestic Violence Response on the Tohono O’odham Nation

1. Improving Law Enforcement Domestic Violence Response on the Tohono O’odham Nation Presenter Lt. Michelle S. Begay June 2006

2. Purpose • Development and implementation of law enforcement policies to reduce incidences of repeated patterns of abuse and serious injury.

3. Background • National statistics indicate that American Indian and Alaskan Native experience high rates of intimate partner violence. The development of law enforcement domestic violence protocol is to reduce violent victimization of women on the Tohono O’odham Nation, the second largest Indian reservation in the United States located in Arizona.

4. Tohono O’odham Nation

5. Methods • Law Enforcement statistical data • Victim Services • Tribal and State Domestic Violence Policy and Procedures

6. Steps

7. Results • Table 1 Tohono O’odham Police Domestic Violence Arrest Summary

8. Criminal Justice Data

9. Victim Services • DV Shelter-from Dec. 15, 2005-April 1, 2006- 9 families assisted • 2005- Domestic Violence victim programs assisted 158 victims of domestic violence • 2005-Domestic Violence Active Orders of Protection-65 are active in police records held at 9-1-1 TOPD call center

10. Conclusion • Implementation of police domestic violence policy increases victim safety • Mandatory Arrest requires law enforcement intervention • Offenders are held accountable • DV policy sets foundation for coordinated response from service providers

11. Future Activities • VAWA grants • Improving technology • CCR training • DV Instructor July 2006 • Continued partnership with Coalition to create community awareness