Garden of Truth report chronicles histories of abuse among Native American prostitutes

Al Franken wants to update the Violence Against Women Act specifically to fit Native American women's needs.

​

Titled "Garden of Truth," the 72-page study details horrific tales of 105 women, finding that a striking amount had been victims of childhood sexual abuse, rape, and violence.

"After you get into prostitution, you get used to it; it's like using the bathroom," one interviewee told researchers. "You don't think about it after a while, it takes all your feeling of being a woman away."

To conduct the study, researchers interviewed women for one and a half hours each, asking a wide range of questions about sexual and physical violence, homelessness, and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Interviewers also asked about use of public services, such as rape crisis centers and chemical abuse facilities.

Here are a few of the more startling findings:

Ninety-two percent wanted to escape prostitution.

Researchers interviewed 105 women from across the state, and found many shared similar histories of violence and child abuse

​The study also found that 86 percent of interviewees believe Native American women are tricked or deceived into prostitution, often by a boyfriend.

"I wouldn't say there are pimps anymore," said one of the women. "Now they're all boyfriends."

Researchers list several recommendations to combat the problem, including an increase in government funding for transitional and long-term housing for Native women and increased funding for women's programs.

Sen. Al Franken has already vowed to update the Violence Against Women Act to include information specific to Native American women, according to the Star Tribune.

A video message from Franken about the study will be played at a 2:00 press conference today at the William Mitchell College of Law Auditorium regarding the study's findings.

Read the full study here.