Vice Chairman Lorelei Cloud recently joined several Colorado senators and advocates at the State Capitol in Denver in support of the Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Amendment (Senate Concurrent Resolution 24-001). If passed, this amendment would retrospectively permit victims of child sexual assault to make civil claims against an abuser or an institution regardless of how much time has passed. 

“Our Ute and Native youth are the heart of our future. As a leader, I believe we must work together to ensure and protect their safety and success,” Vice Chairman Cloud said. For generations, Native communities have faced an epidemic of sexual violence and trauma, starting with children being the most vulnerable targets in the federal boarding schools. Tribal Courts, due to limitations in authority and jurisdiction, are unable to prosecute non-Native perpetrators. The perpetrators are often in positions of authority such as government officials, trustees, teachers, and religious leaders. 

The cycle of trauma persists, silencing many young victims. Fear, intimidation, and the struggle to articulate their experiences due to a developing emotional vocabulary prevent them from seeking justice and beginning their healing journey. According to the National Institute of Justice, Native youth experience violence at rates higher than any other racial group in the United States, with 56.4 percent reporting experiencing sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking in their lifetime. 

Legislation like SCR24-001 offers a critical first step by holding perpetrators accountable, it paves the way for healing and a future where survivors can truly thrive.