Whisper n Thunder

The Whisper of Native American stories, the Thunder of stories that demand to be told.

Young Adults

Violence Against Women Act

A Historical Day for All Women

Today, February 28, 2013, became a historical day in the eyes of Native American women and other races across the country. The renewed and strengthened Violence Against Women Act was finally passed after five hundred days since the last act expired.

Native American women have the highest rate of rape among every other race in the world; many of the rapes go unreported and the rapists go unpunished.

Native American women have had a hard year; they have been used as sexual items in the world of fashion. A few months ago Victoria’s Secret had their annual runway show. In this show one model wore lingerie and a Native American headdress. Another example of using Native Americans as sex symbols is yearly at Halloween. There are dozens of costumes of "Native American Princesses" that do not have much fabric and usually are very skimpy.

The media has been using Native Americans as sex symbols and with VAWA reapplied women can feel safer on campuses, reservations and in the world in general. As a female Native American college student I have known about the risk of becoming a victim of violence or rape; with this act in motion I feel much better and safer overall. I am from a family of ten children and eight of us are women. I am especially grateful for this act - for not only my safety, but for their safety also. I hope that the act will have a significant change and stop the violence against women of all races and ethnicities.