Candidate: Scott Kawasaki

District: House District 9- Fairbanks

Seat Running For: State Representative

Party Affiliation: Democrat

1. As a legislator, what have you done to support women and children victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault? What specifically have you done to help end violence against women and children in Alaska ?

As a councilman I worked to ensure police were funded and trained to keep local control over prosecution of DV/ Assault.

2.Women in Alaska , particularly Native women, are disproportionately victims of violence. What are the issues or causes you believe increase violence against Alaskan women?

Alcohol, Education, and a cycle of violence seem to be prevalent in the native population

3. Alaska has ranked nationally in the top three per capita for sexual assault in the past 29 years (per the Uniform Crime Reporting Code). What type of legislation would you support to increase perpetrator accountability and ensure safety for women and children?

More public safety and police funding, funding for prosecution of violent crimes and laws to reduce recidivism like therapeutic courts, tribal courts, mandatory counseling, ect.

4.  Shelter programs in Alaska are finding it difficult to keep and maintain staff due to a lack of competitive wages.  This causes a high turnover of staff because they can receive better paying jobs working for the state and municipality.  Due to the high rate of staff turnover, the amount and type of services that can be offered to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are greatly impacted.  As a legislator, what will you do to address this problem?

Grants to shelter programs through the public safety department.

5. Funding for shelter programs has increased only 4% in the last 10 years while services have increased by over 42%. As a legislator, what will you do to address this problem?

Funding programs needs to be addressed, period.

What is the name of the domestic violence.sexual assault intervention program(s) that serves your constituents? Interior Alaska Center for Non Violent Living

Who are the Current Executive Directors?

Brenda Stanfill