Gov. Walker signs bill supporting sexual assault kit testing and standardizing investigations

Gov. Bill Walker signed House Bill 31 last week requiring a yearly accounting of untested sexual assault kits in the state, as well as providing systems for standardizing sexual assault investigations. Alaska police academies are now required to teach sexual assault investigative techniques and law.

Brad Myrstol, Justice Center director, is a member of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Working Group, which is working with the Alaska Department of Public Safety to develop a protocol for dealing with untested kits and creating a sustainable  and victim-centered response to sexual assault cases moving forward. Myrstol, along with Ingrid Johnson, new Justice faculty with an expertise in domestic violence and sexual assault, attended the signing of the bill on Friday, June 29.

Nearly a third (33.1%) of adult women in Alaska have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the  2015 Alaska Victimization Survey. The survey is conducted by the  Justice Center for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

For more on Alaska's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative see the Spring 2018 Alaska Justice Forum.

AVS data used throughout Sexual Assault Awareness Month to urge Alaskans to break the cycle of violence

Throughout the month of April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, data from the 2015 Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS) has been used to remind Alaskans of the need to "break the cycle of violence" in our state. The Alaska Department of Public Safety called Alaska rates of sexual assault "concerning," citing AVS data showing that 40% of Alaska women have experienced intimate partner violence during their lifetime, and 33% have experienced sexual violence during their lives. From Dillingham, to Seward, to the Mat-Su, communities are using AVS data to remind Alaskans of the need to "Choose Respect" and "do better," not just in April, but year round.

CDVSA highlights productive partnership with Justice Center

The Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) highlighted its "productive and collaborative" relationship with the UAA Justice Center  in its 2017 Annual Report released this week. According to the annual report, the Justice Center which began collaborating with CDVSA in 2010, is providing critically important insight and valuable understanding of the scope of domestic violence and sexual assault through its work on the 2010 and 2015 Alaska Victimization Surveys (AVS) and a Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs survey. "In 2017, two years following the last statewide AVS, we are still gaining significant and critical information about the impact of these issues—particularly for Alaska women," according to the CDVSA's 2017 annual report. "In FY17, two follow-up reports were developed and released based on results from the 2015 AVS: the Statewide and Municipality of Anchorage Stalking Victimization (released in January 2017) and the Statewide Victimization of Alaska Women age 60+ (released in June 2017)."

The Justice Center continues to collaborate with CDVSA with the joint release of results from the 2014-2015 AVS for Aleutian/Pribilof Island region released on March 13, 2018.

Injury and Violence Prevention is Thursday's National Public Health Week focus

This Thursday join us in supporting Injury and Violence Prevention day as part of American Public Health Association's  annual celebration of National Public Health Week. This is particularly important in Alaska where women experience sexual violence at high rates. Recent results from the Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS) from the Aleutian/Pribilof Islands show high rates of sexual violence, with 1 in 4 women experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime. Statewide AVS results from 2015 show out of every 100 adult women, 50 experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or both.

Spring 2018 Alaska Justice Forum shows impact of VPSO involvement in sexual assault cases, Aleutian/Pribilof Island Alaska Victimization Survey results, Alaska Sexual Assault Kit Initiative and more

The 2018 spring edition of the Alaska Justice Forum includes articles dealing with Alaska’s high incidence of sexual violence including how VPSO-assistance in sex assault cases in western Alaska have high referral rates for prosecution.  An overview of results from the 2014–2015 Alaska Victimization Survey for the Aleutian/Pribilof Islands shows that 45% of adult women in the region have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both in their lifetime. In addition, an article on Alaska’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative provides an update on progress addressing unsubmitted and untested sexual assault kits collected by Alaska State Troopers and development of victim-centered policies by a group of statewide stakeholders.

The Justice Center recently developed a report for the Alaska Department of Public Safety showing that troopers in the Mat-Su Borough and part of the Valdez Cordova census area are chronically over-used, causing operational problems. The report is included in the spring Forum along with a book review that describes the Sequential Intercept Model. The model provides a framework for diverting a person with serious mental illness from the criminal justice system into community-based treatment.

The 2018 spring Alaska Justice Forum print and expanded web editions are now available and include:

• High referral rate for VPSO-assisted sex assault cases
• Alaska Victimization Survey: Aleutian/Pribilof Island
• Sexual Assault Kit Initiative: Alaska making progress
• Workload-based staffing model shows Troopers in B-Detachment chronically understaffed (web only)
• Sequential Intercept Model: Framework for a ‘wicked’ problem
• Myrstol is new Justice Center director 

The Alaska Justice Forum is a publication of the UAA Justice Center

Download spring 2018 Alaska Justice Forum print edition

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Alaska Victimization Survey results show that 45% of adult women in the Aleutian/Pribilof Island Region have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence or both

The results of the 2014-2015 Alaska Victimization Survey for the Aleutian/Pribilof Island region were released on March 13, 2018, to the Unalaska City Council. The troubling numbers show that:

• 45% of adult women in the Aleutian/Pribilof Island region have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in their lifetime;
• More than two out of every five adult women in the Aleutian/Pribilof Island region have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime; and
• One in four women in the Aleutian/Pribilof Island region have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.

Due to the survey’s limitations, estimates may be conservative.

The survey was designed to measure the lifetime exposure to sexual violence and intimate partner violence. It was conducted from April to June 2014 and from May to August 2015 through a contract with the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA). Respondents were randomly selected by phone (using both land lines and cell phones).

Details of the survey are available at the Alaska Victimization Survey website.

• Summary document
• PowerPoint presentation

More Information

For more background on this project, visit http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/justice/avs/
For more information about CDVSA, visit http://www.dps.state.ak.us/CDVSA/

Unalaskans Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence

Unalaskans Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence (USAFV) provides a safe haven for victims of sexual assault and family violence, and USAFV plays an active role in educating the public in how to recognize victimization and how to avoid becoming a victim. Contact USAFV for crisis intervention, referrals, immediate safety, legal advocacy and support, education and prevention programs. Their 24-hour crisis line is 907-581-1500 in Unalaska and 1-800-478-7238 throughout Alaska.

Justice Center research shows need for continued work in Alaska during National Stalking Awareness Month

Andre Rosay, former Justice
Center Director, Associate Dean,
College of Health, AVS principal
investigator

Statistics from the Justice Center's Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS) were used throughout January, which is also National Stalking Awareness Month, to educate Alaskans about the need to make Alaska a safer place for women.  News outlets cited Justice Center research showing high rates of domestic violence - including that more than one in nine Alaskan women have experienced physical or psychological abuse in the last year -- and that one in four Anchorage women reported that they'd been stalked at some point in their lives. The Fairbanks Daily News Miner also highlighted a 2007 Justice Center report in partnership with Alaska State Troopers that documented high rates of sexual assault in the state.

Justice Center research in the news:

• Downtown assemblyman talks safety for Anchorage women, (includes video) Jan. 21, 2018 -- KTVA CBS 11 News
• Study: 1 in 3 Alaska women experience stalking (includes video) Jan 17, 2018 — KTVA CBS 11 News
• Least sexist state? Not yet, Alaska, not yet (opinion) Jan 13, 2018 — Anchorage Daily News
• Gathering brings #MeToo to Soldotna Jan 13, 2018 — Peninsula Clarion
• Looking Back: January 30, 2-018, Jan 30, 2018  — Fairbanks Daily News Miner. Article refers to research in Descriptive Analysis of Stalking Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers: 1994–2005 by André B. Rosay, Darryl S. Wood, Greg Postle, and Katherine H. TePas. Anchorage, AK: Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage, Feb 2007. (JC 0601.01).

Northern Light cites Alaska Victimization Survey to highlight efforts to address intimate partner violence and sexual assault

The Northern Light used the 2015 Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS) to underscore the need to address intimate partner violence and sexual assault, stating that nearly one in two Anchorage women experience intimate partner violence, sexual assault, or both in their lifetime.

Keeley Olson, executive director of Standing Together Against Rape (STAR), added that rates of child sexual abuse in Alaska are six times higher than those in the lower 48 and that once someone is harmed, they are more likely to be harmed again. It is very important to prevent the first occurrence of sexual violence, she said.

Open communication is important. “As it becomes more mainstream to speak about it, the stigma and blame will dissipate. If everyone would express belief and offer support to those impacted, rather than laying blame, or making excuses, it would make a world of difference,” Olson said in the Northern Light article.

The article listed several initiatives at UAA that are increasing awareness about intimate partner violence and sexual assault including the mandatory Title IX training and the Take Back the Night March in September. UAA has also done 21 bystander training presentations according to Betty Bang, a nurse practitioner at the Student Health and Counseling Center. The goal is to help students get involved in intervening.

Myrstol discusses Justice Center research on Talk of Alaska

Dr. Brad Myrstol, interim Justice Center director and director of the Alaska Justice Information Center and Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center, spoke about SB91 and its impact on crime rates on KSKA Public Radio's Talk of Alaska on Tuesday, Oct. 3 as part of a panel including, Greg Razo,  chair of the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission, Susanne DiPietro, executive director of the Alaska Judicial Council, Jahna Lindemuth, Alaska Attorney General, and Clint Campion, Anchorage District Attorney. Myrstol told listeners to look at Justice Center research including the newly released Alaska Results First report and Alaska Victimization Survey to see data showing the effectiveness of current adult criminal justice programming at reducing recidivism and a downward trend in sexual violence and victimization, respectively.

Gov. Walker cites Justice Center research, urging Alaskans to reduce violence

Gov. Bill Walker cited statistics from the Justice Center's Alaska Victimization Survey, "that 59% of adult women in Alaska have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence - or both - in their lifetime," as  he urged Alaskans to do everything in their power to reduce and eliminate violence. In his One Alaska Update, Governor Walker wrote: "October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In Alaska, this is particularly significant, because 59% of adult women in Alaska have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence - or both - in their lifetime. Domestic violence thrives on indifference; it is our responsibility to acknowledge the prevalence of this plague, and do everything in our power to reduce and eliminate violence in our homes and communities."

Senior Voice highlights Rosay research on abuse of older Alaskan women

The July issue of Senior Voice features  research conducted by Dr. Andre Rosay, Justice Center director, on the prevalence of psychological and physical abuse among Alaskan women aged 60 and older.  According to Dr. Rosay's research, one in nine Alaska women aged 60 and older experienced psychological or physical abuse in the past year.  Results are based upon the Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS), an annual survey conducted from 2010 through 2015 by the Justice Center and funded by the Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Dr. Rosay is the principal investigator for the survey.

Dr. Rosay used data from both a state survey (AVS) and national survey (National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey), and found Alaska rates for psychological and physical abuse higher than the national rates.

A more comprehensive article on Dr. Rosay's research appears in the Summer edition of the Alaska Justice Forum, published later this month. Sign up to receive the summer edition of the Forum at http://eepurl.com/cDlViD.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: 1 in 9 Alaska women 60+ experienced psychological or physical abuse in past year

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center director, presents findings from the Alaska Victimization Survey, funded by the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA), with L. Diane Casto, CDVSA executive director. Results show that 11.5% or 1 in 9 Alaskan women aged 60 and older experienced psychological or physical abuse in the past year.

The Alaska rate for psychological or physical abuse is 1.7 times as high as the national rate. The Alaska rate for physical abuse is 2.4 times the national rate and the Alaska rate for psychological abuse is 1.6 times the national rate. Overall, more than 7,000 women in Alaska aged 60 or older experienced psychological or physical abuse in the past year.

Casto calls the number of women experiencing abuse unacceptable. The CDVSA will use data from Justice Center research to inform future work on elder abuse. Women who are experiencing abuse are urged to contact CDVSA, (907) 465-4356, for resources and information.

A detailed article on Dr. Rosay’s findings will be in the summer 2017 edition of the Alaska Justice Forum.

Watch the video:

Justice Center research provides opportunity to move CDVSA forward

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center director, Dr. Brad Myrstol, director of the Alaska Justice Information Center and the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center, and Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice faculty, met with Alaska's Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) yesterday to provide updates on ongoing DVSA research.

"Having a group like the Justice Center provides a huge opportunity to move us forward," said CDVSA Executive Director L. Diane Casto in response to Justice Center faculty reports on research.

Justice faculty provided a Powerpoint with status updates that included:

• Survey on Alaskans’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs (KAB) regarding Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
• Results First Initiative cost-benefit analysis of batterer intervention programs which will be formally presented to the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission on June 15
• Update on psychological and physical abuse against women 60 and older from the Alaska Victimization Survey (2010-2015) (AVS) and comparison to national data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (2010).
• Update on the AVS and release of additional results in the coming months including in the Alaska Justice Forum in July.

Casto and the Council will be recommending additional areas for Justice Center study to help focus future CDVSA efforts.

Dr. Andre Rosay and L. Diane Casto discuss domestic violence and sexual assault on radio show

L. Diane Casto, Executive
Director, Council on Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center director, and L. Diane Casto, executive director of the Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA), discussed domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska on Line One: Your Health Connection on Alaska Public Media on Monday, June 5. Using information from the 2015 Alaska Victimization Survey, Dr. Rosay reported that half of all women in Alaska have experienced intimate partner violence and/or sexual violence. He pointed out that the prevalence of intimate partner violence and sexual violence decreased by more than 30% since 2010. Unfortunately, the numbers remain unacceptably high.  In addition, they are high everywhere in Alaska.  But as Diane Casto said, women in rural Alaska face the additional challenge of having few services available for support.

As the new CDVSA executive director, Casto plans to continue to work with UAA's Justice Center to develop data-informed interventions. It is important to determine which interventions are working, Casto said. She added that programs aimed at prevention are extremely important.  In the long run, it costs much less to prevent abuse than to intervene once it is occurring, she added.

Dr. Rosay appears on Frontiers episode highlighting Choose Respect Campaign

Dr. Andre Rosay, Justice Center director, appeared on a recent episode of "Frontiers" on KTVA CBS 11 with Rhonda McBride to talk about results from the 2015 Alaska Victimization Survey for which he is principal investigator. He talked about how rates of domestic violence and sexual assault have gone down since the 2010 Survey, but that they are still very high in Alaska. The Frontiers episode highlighted how one community - Old Harbor in Kodiak -- is addressing domestic violence and sexual assault by embracing the Choose Respect Campaign begun by Gov. Sean Parnell. Children and adults in Old Harbor are integrating Choose Respect in cultural celebrations.

• "Frontiers, Episode 105: Choose Respect Marches On" (includes video 28:21) by Rhonda McBride.  KTVA CBS 11 News, Apr 30, 2017.

Moving in the right direction on domestic violence but still a long way to go

More than half of  adult women in the state of Alaska have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, Dr. André Rosay, director of the Justice Center, said in an interview with Ammon Swenson for the Anchorage Press.  The findings are from the 2015 Alaska Victimization Survey, for which Dr. Rosay is principal investigator.

Results of the  2015 survey showed consistently high rates throughout Alaska, according to Dr. Rosay. He added, that even though rates are very high, results from the 2010 Victimization Survey were even higher.

"We're moving in the right direction, but we have a very, very long way to go," Dr. Rosay said.  People recognize the problem and prevention programs are increasing, he said.  "We've turned a curve and proven we can make a difference."

Still, he's concerned that budget cuts are beginning to make the emphasis on domestic violence go away.

The Justice Center conducts the Alaska Victimization Survey for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA).

Read the complete story:

• "Victims of Silence: A Conversation About Domestic Violence in Alaska" by Ammon Swenson.  Anchorage Press, Mar 22, 2017.

Help break the silence during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Governor Bill Walker proclaimed April Sexual Awareness Month citing the 2015 Alaska Victimization Survey  which presents research on violence against women in Alaska. Although Alaska experienced a decrease in sexual violence in the past 12 months, the state is still ranked highest in the nation.

To support increased awareness, the UAA Justice Club presents, "Breaking the Silence." Share your words or story and help break the silence every Tuesday and Thursday in April from 11a.m.-2p.m. in the Social Science Building.

For more information contact Joseph at jmitzel@alaska.edu or uaa_justice@alaska.edu.

Sexual Awareness Month is observed on the national level as well as state level.

Alaska Victimization Survey in the news:
--Alaska, US leaders proclaim April as sexual assault awareness month   Apr 1, 2017 — KTVA CBS 11 News
--After fatal shooting, woman’s friends and family hope to shine light on domestic violence 
Mar 31, 2017 — Chugiak-Eagle River Star

Zonta Club awards Blumenstein at Choose Respect event

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein speaks at Choose Respect event

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice faculty, spoke of the need for continued work to address intimate partner and sexual violence at yesterday's Choose Respect march in Anchorage. She presented data from the Alaska Victimization Survey on the impact of stalking on victims of intimate partner and sexual violence. In recognition of her work to make a difference in the lives of women and girls of Alaska, Dr. Blumenstein received the Zonta Rose Day award from the Zonta Club of Anchorage.  Zonta is a service organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and children through education, funds and service projects.

Dr. Blumenstein presents data on domestic and sexual violence in Alaska at Juneau event

Watch Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice Center faculty, present results from the Alaska Victimization Survey and the University of Alaska Campus Climate Survey at a recent "Lunch and Learn" in Juneau. Carmen Lowry, PhD and Wendi Siebold, MA, PhD joined Dr. Blumenstein at the event organized by the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault and sponsored by Alaska State Representatives Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) and Ivy Spohnholz (D-Anchorage).

Video:

• "What Does It Take? Ending Domestic & Sexual Violence in Alaska" (video) by Lindsey Blumenstein, Wendi Siebold, and Carmen Lowery. Lunch & Learn. 51:06 mins. (program starts at 10:30). Juneau, AK: 360 North, 2017.

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein presents research on sexual assault and domestic violence at Juneau "Lunch and Learn"

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, faculty member in the Justice Center, will present results from the Alaska Victimization Survey and the University of Alaska Campus Climate Survey at a "Lunch and Learn" event focused on ending domestic violence and sexual violence in Alaska on Wednesday, February 22 in Juneau. The event is organized by the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault and sponsored by Alaska State Representatives Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)  and Ivy Spohnholz (D-Anchorage).

Video:

• "What Does It Take? Ending Domestic & Sexual Violence in Alaska" (video) by Lindsey Blumenstein, Wendi Siebold, and Carmen Lowery. Lunch & Learn. 51:06 mins. (program starts at 10:30). Juneau, AK: 360 North, 2017.