Peck Tribe in Montana, sexual abuse of children living on Indian reservations was something people learned to cope with. We have to work with children to help them understand it is not their fault. He testified before Congress in 1984 to raise awareness. Three years later, using special appropriations, the Sexual Abuse Victim Treatment Program was started. The program provides services to victims of sexual abuse and their non-offending family members.
Counseling is provided to victims as well as transportation to and from medical exams.
Until recently the doctor we used for our medical exams lived 300 miles from us. Social services, law enforcement officers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation also come together to investigate cases and prosecute when necessary. When the program first started, I waited for people to come to me. Our program works here. Thanks to these and similar efforts, many other services are available on the reservation, including traditional parenting classes, family preservation programs, and domestic violence programs.