A Vancouver-based women’s coalition is continuing its advocacy in support of slain 17-year-old Nikki Kuhnhausen by warning people about fundraisers not approved by the family and by enrolling the help of a coordinator.
NWCAVE said in a press release that it is continuing to work alongside Lisa Woods, Kuhnhausen’s mother, as the family moves toward a memorial service. The coalition is also overseeing all fundraising on behalf of the family for the funeral and other expenses.
While everyone’s support has been appreciated, the nonprofit noted that not all Go Fund Me Pages are handled by or have been OK’d by Woods.
All funds should be donated to NWCAVE, with the memo “Justice For Nikki,” and sent to P.O. Box 872494, Vancouver, Wash., 98687 or online at https://greatnonprofits.org/org/national-womens-coalition-against-violence-exploitation.
The coalition said it is working with numerous local and national agencies to ensure the LGBTQ community’s voice is heard as its efforts and the state’s case against Kuhnhausen’s alleged killer, David Y. Bogdanov of Vancouver, move forward.
“On Jan. 2, 2020, and beyond, we must as a community come together to have a voice for (Nikki Kuhnhausen) and make sure the person or persons who caused the death of Nikki are brought to justice,” Michelle Bart, the coalition’s president and co-founder, said in the release.
Bogdanov is scheduled to appear in Clark County Superior Court on Jan. 2 for a bail hearing. Judge Suzan Clark previously granted the state’s request for no bail in the case, but a defense attorney stated during Bogdanov’s first appearance hearing that he would be contesting the condition.
NWCAVE is encouraging people to attend the court hearing at 9 a.m. to show support for Kuhnhausen and her family, and “to send the message to the court system and law enforcement that justice must be served in this case,” the coalition said in a Facebook post.
People who decide to go should wear pink clothing, so supporters are easy to identify.
“Our presence will be impactful by numbers, not by protest or disobedience at this time. This invitation is not an opportunity to enter court and create a disturbance. It is an opportunity to enter the court as part of an impacted community, and let our presence be known,” the post says.
To further its efforts, the coalition has brought on board Devon Rose Davis, a clinical social worker and activist from Portland. Rose has worked in social services since 2007 around issues of disability, homelessness, commercially and sexually exploited children, childhood trauma, substance use, HIV and mental health. Her activism work has focused on health care access for trans people. NWCAVE is overseen by volunteers and has no paid staff.
Kuhnhausen disappeared June 5. Her remains were discovered after someone reported finding a human skull Dec. 7 in the woods at Larch Mountain, about 10 minutes from Larch Corrections Center.
Bogdanov appeared in court on the morning of Dec. 18 on suspicion of second-degree murder in Kuhnhausen’s death. Authorities allege he strangled Kuhnhausen after learning she was transgender.
A Crime Stoppers reward is still available in Kuhnhausen’s case. Anyone with information on other people allegedly involved in her death should contact the Vancouver Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Oregon.
