**Watch Rep. Kuster’s line of questioning here.**

Hopkinton, NH – Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, participated in a virtual Energy and Commerce Committee hearing to address tribal community challenges, including alarming rates of sexual violence. During the hearing titled, “Addressing the Urgent Needs of Our Tribal Communities,” Kuster and her committee colleagues heard from Dr. Charles Grim, Secretary of the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health; Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez; the Honorable Christine Sage, Southern Ute Indian Tribe Chairman; National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp; and Pilar M. Thomas, Quarles & Brady LLP.

“The high rates of sexual and domestic violence in Indian Country and the alarming trend of missing and murdered native women are heartbreaking,” said Kuster. “These statistics are a national tragedy, and in order to address this crisis, Congress must work to mitigate inequities and meet the challenges stemming from inadequate access to health care, telecommunications, energy, and water for tribal communities. I’m proud to support legislation that will help survivors heal and move forward as well as prevent crimes of sexual violence from occurring in tribal communities and I am glad that we were able to discuss solutions in today’s hearing. I look forward to working with my committee colleagues to address sexual violence in Indian Country.”

Founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, Kuster actively seeks legislative solutions to support survivors and prevent violence. Last year, the task force held a roundtable discussion on missing and murdered native women and sexual violence on tribal lands. The task force held a virtual roundtable discussion to address sexual and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic last month.

Watch Rep. Kuster’s line of questioning here. 

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