Candidate: Mike Koy

District: 32 - Anchorage

Seat Running For: 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 ?

N/A

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?

I do not know the cause for this, but at the risk of embarassing myself I would guess it is culture, education(or lack of) related to Domestic Violence, environmental, and financial/social to a much less degree. What I know is I believe Domestic Violence is a serious issue that needsa tremendous amount of education and strong punishment of those who commit domestic violence.

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?

I am open to suggestions as I do not know all of the tools available to reduce domestic violence. I am 100% for increasing safety and reducing domestic violence in Alaska. I am just not sure how to do it and how much it would cost and how to fund it, but I would first like to understand and then know how I can help make a significant impact.

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?

First, I want to understand this better and if this is a statewide issue or a regional issue. I would also want to understand how turnover rates in Alaska compare to other states. After this, I'd want to know exactly how staff turnover affects services and to what degree. Based on the outcome of this, I'm open to suggestions on how to improve or increase services.

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 of 4% increase with a 42% increase in services in itself is not necessarily an issue. That doesn't necessarily mean there is an issue. I am very open to understanding the funding of shelter programs in Alaska and the services provided by these shelters. I will do what I can to ensure that shelters are funded to provide excellent and reasonable services for Domestic Violence programs.

What is the name of the domestic violence.sexual assault intervention program(s) that serves your constituents and who are the Current Executive Directors?

The Recovery Connection

 

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