Indigenous Affairs Yakama Nation’s new public safety campus gives justice room to grow The tribal court system, which had occupied a cluster of trailers since the ’50s, plans to add services like a mental health or a veterans court. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore News and ICT / January 9, 2024
News Why convictions lag compared to sex trafficking reports in the PNW While Washington has some of the toughest trafficking laws in the nation, law enforcement in Seattle and Portland struggle to put policy into practice. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / December 8, 2023
Politics WA lawmaker moves to fix system for child sex trafficking victims A 2020 law was supposed to create two trauma-informed treatment centers for exploited children. They still haven’t opened. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / October 26, 2023
News Washington is failing to aid child sex-trafficking victims A 2020 law mandated the support of two new ‘Safe Harbor’ centers where kids could get treatment — but the state hasn’t made this happen. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / October 2, 2023
News Tahoma superintendent resigns after child sex-abuse investigation Two board members have also stepped down after it was revealed the school district didn’t discipline an accused predator. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / September 25, 2023
News Parents outraged Tahoma School District failed to stop accused predator The district admitted it was negligent in employing paraeducator Bryan Neyers for nearly five years after being told of his behavior. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / August 29, 2023
Equity Snoqualmie Tribe starts land protection sales tax at Salish Lodge The 2% tax will preserve ancestral sites such as Snoqualmie Falls, and could be a model for other Indigenous nations. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore/ICT / July 17, 2023
Equity Low-income domestic violence survivors still lack support in WA While the state has expanded its full protection-order policies, advocates say funding for housing, shelters and legal services is still needed. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / July 4, 2023
News The Washington mental health lifeline made for and by Native people The Native and Strong Lifeline provides connection and culturally specific care to callers in crisis. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Indian Country Today and Underscore News / June 19, 2023
News Housing restrictions are leaving more PNW sex offenders homeless Laws in Oregon and Washington can be counterproductive to public safety by keeping registrants on the streets, where they are more likely to reoffend. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / May 25, 2023