After declining to press charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office in South Dakota has reopened an investigation into a sexual assault on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Two girls were ages 16 and 17 when they reported being assaulted by an adult man on the reservation. The incident occurred over a year ago.

“We’ve been going through hell," the victims' mother told The Rapid City Journal.

The paper said the U.S. Attorney declined to bring charges due to lack of evidence. The victims were examined at a hospital on the reservation but their mother said tribal police did not conduct a through investigation at the scene.

Get the Story:
Rape on the reservation: Criminal convictions tougt to come by in Indian Country (The Rapid City Journal 11/2)

Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act:
H.R.725

Tribal Law and Order Act:
S.797 | H.R.1924

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