Episode 245 | Just Sexual Assault Response in Indigenous Communities

Original Release Date: April 28, 2023

In episode four of our 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month mini season, Just Science sat down with Mark Pooley, founder of Native Search Solutions, to discuss how the challenges faced by indigenous communities impact sexual assault investigations.

In the United States, many indigenous communities are geographically isolated, which contributes to a lack of resources such as police staff and training, healthcare, or even access to the internet. These challenges in conjunction with other cultural and historical considerations, can make it difficult to effectively conduct sexual assault and other violent crime investigations in indigenous jurisdictions. Listen along as Mark describes his experience with violent crime investigations within Native American populations, the specific needs of indigenous communities, and possible steps forward in sexual assault response reform.

This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award #: 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU).

Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Science · Just Sexual Assault Response In Indigenous Communities

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Episode Citation

Raible, T., & Pooley, M. (2023, April 28). Just Science. Just Sexual Assault Response in Indigenous Communities. [Audio podcast episode]. The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence. https://forensiccoe.org/podcast-2023-saam-ep4/

Related Resources

Guest Biography

Mark Pooley (Navajo/Hopi) is the founder of Native Search Solutions, a non-profit organization with a focus on finding Missing Indigenous People on and off the reservation(s). Mr. Pooley also retired as a Sergeant from the Tempe Police Department. Prior to his law enforcement career, he was a Tribal Prosecutor with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Mr. Pooley holds a Master of Education from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brigham Young University.

Episode 245 | Just Sexual Assault Response in Indigenous Communities