The choctaw nation requested funding to investigate child abuse and sexual assault cases

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma received a $450,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs Victims of Crime under the VOCA Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program (CFDA 16.841). The grant funding will enable the Tribe to hire a forensic interviewer/lead investigator to conduct interviews and provide support services to child victims of abuse and sexual assault and their families. The grant will also support training and awareness initiatives on trauma-informed care, as well as best practices for interviewing techniques. The key goals of the 3-year project, running from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026, are to increase the availability of forensic interviewing services, enhance community collaboration with internal and external partners, and maintain and increase knowledge of trauma-informed care among Choctaw Nation employees and community members.

With this funding, the tribe will hire a forensic interviewer/lead investigator to conduct interviews and provide support services to child victims and their families, facilitate training and awareness regarding trauma-informed care, and provide best practices on interviewing skills and techniques. The goals of the project include increasing availability of forensic interviewing services; increasing community collaboration with internal and external partners; and maintaining and increase knowledge of trauma-informed care amongst employees and community members.