Late last month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the award of grant funds to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, specifically to expand victims’ services for survivors of human trafficking.
The $679,259 grant will be used to build the capacity of the Kalispel Tribe to respond to crime victims’ needs, according to a statement from the Tribe. A Department of Justice press release said the money will go toward hiring a victim advocate, covering staff travel and training costs and funding a strategic plan to improve overall services.
The grant award is one of 10 providing $5.7 million to multiple tribes across seven states to support crime victims in Native American communities.
The Kalispel Tribe Victim Assistance Services Program (KTVAS) has been in operation since 1998, with their main office based out of Cusick, Wash., 60 miles north of Spokane. In March 2018 the Kalispel Tribe opened a satellite office in Airway Heights behind Northern Quest Resort & Casino.
A Kalispel Tribe representative said the recently awarded funding will provide additional staff in the Airway Heights office and will allow them to enhance the services they already provide to human trafficking victims.
According to 2015 Department of Justice statistics, human trafficking is the second largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the United States and the average age of a trafficking victim is 12 years old, though not all victims are minors.
While empirical data on trafficking victims is limited due to a lack of reporting and mistrust of law enforcement, data and research from related studies suggest that human trafficking disproportionately impacts Native communities.
“Although our primary focus is Native American Victims, KTVAS also provides victim services to the Kalispel Tribe and Northern Quest Resort & Casino employees and all community members,” the Tribe said in a statement. “Our services are not denied to any person who has been a victim of a crime.”
MORE INFORMATION
If you or anyone you know has been hurt or harmed by a crime, services are available at no cost to the victim. All services are confidential.
24/7 helpline for Kalispel Tribe Victim Assistance Services: 877-700-7175
Airway Heights location: 100 Hayford Rd, 509-789-7671
Cusick location: 41 Tule Rd, 509-447-7155
Shannen Talbot can be reached at shannen@cheneyfreepress.com.
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