Indian Country Conference Held in Sioux City: Crimes Against Children Highlighted

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – The United States Attorneys’ Offices for the Northern District of Iowa and the Districts of Nebraska and Kansas convened the 2016 Indian Country Conference in Sioux City.  Over 100 victim service professionals and law enforcement officers attended the conference, entitled “Crimes Against Children.” Participants attending the conference were updated on threats facing children in Indian Country and the need for a community based response.

This annual conference began in 2007 with a particular focus on crimes in Indian Country.  While the central focus remains the same—ensuring the more vulnerable people in native communities are protected and to make their homes safe—the nature and scope of the issues have continued to evolve requiring important networking and training that comes from the conference.

U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Techau recognized the importance of the conference stating, “Providing this training conference brings together allied professionals to gain more knowledge and insight so they can better assist victims.”  He concluded noting, “Improving public safety and the fair administration of justice in tribal communities have been and remain top priorities for the Department of Justice.” 

A noted expert on human trafficking in Indian Country, Detective Josephina Sabori, with the Pima County, Arizona Sheriff’s Department discussed victim approach and indicators, perception, luring, and best practices for establishing a rapport with victim-survivors of human trafficking.  She also highlighted the AMBER Alert in Indian Country initiative and how tribal communities can develop their own comprehensive child abduction response plan.

Conference attendees also received training on the variety of continuing and emerging victim issues to better equip them to serve child crime victims in Indian Country.  Among the training sessions attendees participated were workshops on child advocacy, domestic violence, violence against children, human trafficking, and working with people in crisis.

Victim-Witness Specialist for the Northern District of Iowa, Shari Konarske noted, “The successes that come from this conference does not come in a vacuum, or by any single agency, government or individual.  Instead, they are the result of ongoing consultation, collaboration and coordination among many who have the same goal.”

To learn more about the Department of Justice’s efforts on tribal justice, visit: https://www.justice.gov/otj.

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