The U-S Department of Justice will funnel more resources toward addressing the alarming rate of disappearances and killings among Native Americans, especially women and girls.
Attorney General Merrick Garland says 5 attorneys and 5 coordinators will be dispatched to several regions around the country to help with investigations of unsolved cases and related crimes.
The announcement came yesterday as a special commission gathered in Albuquerque for one of its final field hearings as it works to develop recommendations for addressing the crisis.
The goals of the 37-member commission include tracking and reporting data on missing-person, homicide and human trafficking cases and increasing information sharing with tribal governments on prosecutions on Indian lands.
In addition to making recommendations to the Interior and Justice departments, the commission also is tasked with boosting resources for survivors and victims’ families, such as providing access to social workers and counselors.
Much needed