On July 22, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee passed, by voice vote, the Securing Urgent Resources Vital to Indian Victims Empowerment (SURVIVE) Act (S. 1704).
The measure, sponsored by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), would amend the Indian Tribal Justice Act (P.L. 106-559) to secure urgent resources vital to Indian victims of crime.
Among other provisions, the legislation would issue grants to Indian tribes for domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, and child advocacy centers that provide services to victims of crime in Indian country or in Alaska Native villages. Grants also could be used to provide transitional housing and relocation services to crime victims and their family members.
In addition, the funds would provide medical care, treatment, and related evaluations for crime victims. Such services could include emergency medical care and evaluation, psychological and psychiatric care and evaluation, and other forms of medical assistance and treatment, including prophylactic treatment to prevent victims from contracting HIV/AIDS or any other sexually transmitted disease or infection.
The legislation contains provisions to improve the handling, investigation, and prosecution of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse cases. Funds for pro bono legal assistance for crime victims also would be provided.
