SPOKANE, Wash. — U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref announced a $610,000 Department of Justice grant for the Kalispel Tribe of Indians community to enhance efforts to respond to and prevent sexual assault.
The funding will enable the Kalispel Tribe to hire a full-time sexual assault advocate, manage an emergency hotline, and develop resources for survivors.
Waldref emphasized the federal government’s commitment to combating sexual violence, particularly in tribal communities.
Curt Holmes, Kalispel Vice Chair, noted the tribe’s long-standing investment in victim assistance services and the need for additional staff to support approximately 760 victims annually.
Kalispel Tribe Victim Assistance Services operates in Pend Oreille and Spokane counties, serving both tribal and non-tribal members.
The grant comes from the Office on Violence Against Women’s Fiscal Year 2024 Tribal Sexual Assault Services (KTVAS) program, which aims to expand sustainable sexual assault services in Indian country and Alaska Native villages.
Learn more about the Kalispel Tribe of Indians by visiting the website
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