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News Now!

National News Now!

Federal government redefines rape, and who can be a victim

As reported by Jill Burke with Alaska Dispatch

“On Friday, rape victims whose crimes have been overlooked by federal statistics gained new recognition.  After more than 80 years, the federal government has changed its definition of rape for the Uniform Crime Report, the country’s report card on serious crime.  The change allows men and boys to be counted as victims and expands which assaults can be counted as rape.”

Men Struggle for Rape Awareness

As reported by Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times

“Until just a few weeks ago, when the federal government expanded its definition of rape to include a wider range of sexual assaults, national crime statistics on rape included only assaults against women and girls committed by men under a narrow set of circumstances.  Now they will also include male victims.”

For male and female victims of sexual assault in Alaska, Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) has a statewide crisis line: 1-800-478-8999

In addition to STAR, all 18 of our member programs serve both male and female victims of domestic violence.  For a list of our member programs, please click here.

Statewide News Now!

I am SAM

As reported by Klas Stlope, Juneau Empire

An alleged victim of child sexual abuse says she finds no justice in the justice system. “‘SAM’ said she was a 10-year-old youth soccer player when her sexual abuse began… Now she is 18, and rebuilding her life. Tuesday, she goes to court to see her alleged abuser sentenced on a lesser charge — one that has nothing to do with sexual abuse. The plea deal shocked her — and also local victims’ rights activists.”

Parnell Addresses Domestic Violence

As reported by KTVA, Corey Allen-Young

This article features quotes by Suzi Pearson, the Executive Director of Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis, Inc. in Anchorage who says domestic violence is about “[...] emotional control, isolation, intimidation, threats” and “men are victims of domestic violence, just as well as women.”

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault network receives statewide grant
The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) announced that Verizon Wireless has donated $10,000 to assisting communities, local shelters and agencies in ending domestic violence and sexual assault.
Victimization survey finds high rates of violence against Juneau women
As reported by the Juneau Empire
“More than half of Juneau women have been the victims of domestic violence or sexual assault at some time in their lives, with one in eight being a victim in the last year, according to a new study from the University of Alaska Anchorage.”
Alaska Victimization Survey: 2011 Results Fairbanks
Alaska Victimization Survey: 2011 Results Anchorage
Alaska Victimization Survey: 2011 Results Bristol Bay
Domestic, sexual violence stats should shock us into action
As reported by the Juneau Empire
“Shocking. Sobering. Disgusting. These are just a few of the words that come to our minds when reading the news more than half of Juneau’s women have been victims of domestic or sexual violence at some point in their lifetimes.”

Member Program News!

Romig Middle School students were honored with a Deomestic Violence Awareness Month Award (DVAM Award) for their comprehensive “Choose Respect” campaign.
The students had worked with Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis, Inc. (AWAIC) in Anchorage to obtain a Youth Minni-Grant from the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The students worked all semester to educate their peers on healthy relationships and dating violence. On Monday, November 14th Anchorage School District Superintendent, Carol Comeau honored the students at AWAIC and again at the Anchorage School Board Meeting.
If you or other students you know might be interested in applying for a mini-grant, please click here to view the application.

Network News Now!

(Despite blizzards in Western Alaska, almost all youth were able to attend, including youth from the following communities: Akiak, Akiachak, Anchroage, Barrow, Bethel, Cordova, Deering, Dillingham, Gustavus, Juneau, Ketchikan, Napaskiak, Nenana, New Stuyahok, Nuiqsut, Palmer, Port Alexander, Sitka, and Wrangell.)

ANDVSA hosted another successful Lead On! Youth Leadership Mini-Summit. The event brought over 115 participants from all across Alaska together in Anchorage on November 12th-14th. National, local and youth speakers gave workshops on healthy relationships, nonviolence, culture and identity, as well as how to be effective leaders.
Lead On! is one of the events supported through a statewide collaboration of agencies and funders working towards ending violence. It is one piece of a comprehensive approach to violence prevention in Alaska. “This is an exciting change to bring youth together from all over Alaska,” said ANDVSA Executive Director, Peggy Brown. “It gives teens a change to plan the conference, get inspired by others and go back to their towns and villages re-committed to making a difference in preventing violence in their own communities.”
Click here to watch the digital story film of Lead On! 2011



State News Archive

Battle to choose respect continues statewide

Internet Relationship Leads to Sexual Assault

"Reversing Sexual Assault Statistics Is About Attitude..."

New plan aims to stop domestic violence before it starts

National News Archive

The Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act

International Commission finds United States Denied Justice to Domestic Violence Survivor