Part 4 – Seeking Justice, Wanting Protection: Disparities in Sexual Assault Crimes in Nome

Under new leadership, the Nome Police Department says it is changing practices in response to a call for reform from a local advocate group after past mishandlings of sexual assault investigations. Survivors, advocates, and community members say the department is headed the right direction but has a long way to go to repair broken trust, especially among Alaska Natives.

This story was originally published on KNOM Radio Mission.

Over two years ago, the Nome Police went through their records and found they had 460 "cold case" sexual assaults dating back to the year 2005. They re-opened those cases. As December of 2020 drew to a close, Nome Police Investigator Scott Weaver addressed the Nome City Council on his findings.

https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/part-4-seeking-justice-wanting-protection-disparities-in-sexual-assault-crimes-in-nome