[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 57 (Friday, March 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT AMENDMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. ED CASE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 26, 2021

  Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express appreciation to my 
House colleagues who voted for my amendment to our recently passed 
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) to ensure the full 
inclusion of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians in 
key parts of VAWA.
  My amendment requires key data for full implementation of VAWA about 
our nation's indigenous peoples that has previously been unavailable, 
especially relating to Native Hawaiians. To develop this data, the 
federal government will conduct a review of law enforcement and other 
crime prevention programs dealing with child sexual exploitation, child 
abuse, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, missing or 
murdered individuals and substance abuse. The review will result in 
recommendations directly affecting the social, educational, economic 
and other factors contributing to Native Hawaiians becoming missing or 
murdered.
  My amendment also calls for two additional reviews. The first one 
will examine programs that affect Native Hawaiians who are victims of 
criminal offenses. The second report will examine Native Hawaiians in 
the criminal justice system. This second report will also produce 
recommendations related to the social, educational, economic and other 
factors contributing to Native Hawaiians becoming involved in the 
criminal justice system.
  The need for these reports and data is critical. While data is 
available for individuals of Native American and Alaska Native descent, 
it does not exist for Native Hawaiians who suffer from high incidences 
of violence. This new data will guide future legislation and identify 
key areas in which additional assistance and resources are needed. 
Organizations that are centered around helping the Native Hawaiian 
community will benefit as well through availability of accurate data to 
direct their resources better.
  Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much) for your support for my 
amendment and for the inclusion of American Indian, Alaska Native and 
Native Hawaiian groups within VAWA.

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