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.

Sen. Dan Sullivan thanks Dr. Blumenstein for highlighting "critical issue for our State"

Sen. Sullivan congratulates
Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein
on receiving the
 Rose Day Award
from the Zonta Club of
Anchorage

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice faculty, received a congratulatory note from Sen. Dan Sullivan after Dr. Blumenstein was recognized by the Zonta Club of Anchorage for her work to improve the lives of Alaskans through research into domestic violence and sexual assault.  Sen. Sullivan thanked Dr. Blumenstein for her work to highlight this "critical issue for our State."

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.

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.

Governor cites Justice Center research in State of the State address

Gov. Bill Walker
Photo by James Brook (Used by license)

Wednesday, January 18, 2017 — In his State of the State Address before a joint session of the 30th Alaska State Legislature, Governor Bill Walker highlighted violence in our communities and in our homes as a significant challenge to tackle.  Citing statistics from the Alaska Victimization Survey that show that half of Alaska’s women experience sexualviolence, intimate partner violence, or both in their lifetimes, Governor Walker renewed his commitment to reducing violence in our communities and in our homes.  “While the rate is down from 59 percent in 2010,” Governor Walker said, “it is still deplorable.”  The Governor recognized the many individuals and groups that are working on prevention. He also discussed the need to improve responses to sex crimes.  “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he explained, and “victims deserve justice.”

The Alaska Victimization Survey is conducted by the Justice Center for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA).  It provides comprehensive statewide and regional data to guide planning and policy development and to evaluate the impact of prevention and intervention services.  New stalking estimates were released on January 17, 2017, showing that 1 in 3 women in Alaska have experienced stalking in their lifetime.

Drs. Blumenstein and Payne, APD officers, and AWAIC representative discuss domestic violence at roundtable

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein and Dr. Troy Payne, Justice faculty, joined APD Officers  Lisa Whitmore and Rhonda Street, and  AWAIC Community Education Coordinator Emily Sannini, at a Domestic Violence Action Roundtable at UAA on October 20.

Panelists for the program (l to r): Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice Center;
Officer Lisa Whitemore and Officer Rhonda Street, Anchorage Police Dept.;
Emily Sannini, Community Education Coordinator, Abused Women's
Aid in Crisis (AWAIC); and Dr. Troy Payne, Justice Center.

The discussion centered on how frequently domestic violence occurs, how to help victims, and what the process of reporting to the police is like  — all with a focus on what everyone can do to prevent domestic violence.







View the short video clip of Dr. Blumenstein:
This event was co-sponsored by the UAA Justice Center and the Justice Club. Dr. Troy Payne is the faculty advisor for the Justice Club.

UAA Justice Club students address the attendees.
L to r standing: Jonathan Gonzalez, member-at-large;
Brianna Baldwin, treasurer; Bradley Foster, president.

White House and U.S. Attorney General cite research by Dr. Rosay

The White House has released a Fact Sheet for the North American Working Group on Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls.  The Fact Sheet cites research from Dr. André Rosay’s National Institute of Justice report, Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men: 2010 Findings From the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.  During the Working Group meeting, Attorney Generals from the United States, Mexico, and Canada delivered remarks.  In her remarks, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch discussed how the disturbing statistics in Dr. Rosay’s research have supported the Obama administration’s work to help indigenous women live without fear of sexual assault and domestic violence.  

Read the Attorney General's remarks here.
Read Dr. Rosay's report here.

From the White House Fact Sheet:
Prevalence Report on National Rates of Violence against Alaska Native and American Indian Women and Men: In May 2016, NIJ released a new report: Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men: 2010 Findings From the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. This study examines the prevalence of violence against American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) women and men, using a large nationally representative sample. The results — which show high rates of violence for both women and men — provide the most thorough assessment on the extent of violence against AI and AN women and men to date. Findings from the study estimate levels of sexual violence, physical violence by intimate partners, stalking, and psychological aggression by intimate partners among AI and AN women and men, as well as estimates of interracial victimization.

Come to the Domestic Violence Action Month Roundtable Discussion tonight in LIB 307!

The Justice Club is sponsoring a Domestic Violence Action Month Roundtable Discussion tonight.

What:  Domestic Violence Action Month Roundtable Discussion
When:  Thursday, October 20, 2016, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm
Where:  UAA/APU Consortium Library, LIB 307

Join Justice Center faculty Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein and Dr. Troy Payne,  and Officer Rhonda Street and Officer Lisa Whitmore of the Anchorage Police Department, for a discussion of domestic violence in Alaska.  This panel will discuss how frequently domestic violence occurs, how to help victims, what the process of reporting to the police is like, and circumstances where reporting to police may not be the best course of action for the victim — all with a focus on what everyone can do to prevent domestic violence. 

This event is co-sponsored by the Justice Club and the Justice Center.

Pre-Law Society co-sponsors Oct 5 UAA Campus bookstore event - book launch of Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters

L to r: Author Liz Meredith; Elsie Boudreau, social worker;
and Nicole Stanish, AWAIC program manager, at the program.

The Pre-Law Society co-sponsored the October 5 UAA Campus Bookstore event - the book launch of Alaskan author Lizbeth Meredith's memoir, Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters.  In her book, Ms. Meredith recounts her story of surviving intimate partner violence and her struggles to rescue her abducted daughters.

Elsie Boudreau, a social worker, and Nicole Stanish, Abused Women's Aid in Crisis (AWAIC) Program Manager,  joined Ms. Meredith to lead a discussion about domestic violence, the unintended consequences of leaving an abuse relationship, and the important role of a caring community. Other event sponsors include AWAIC, Green Dot Alaska, Victims for Justice, YWCA Alaska, and the Alaska Humanities Forum.  This event was free and open to students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Domestic violence research by Justice Center and AJSAC highlighted in Seawolf Monthly

The October 2016 issue of  Seawolf Monthly highlights the domestic violence research, education, and prevention efforts on the UAA campus in the article, "Shining light into the darkness of domestic violence." Seawolf Monthly is an electronic newsletter sent to university and community partners. The article is also noted on the UAA homepage.

The article focuses on research being done by Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Director; Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice Center faculty; Dr. Brad Myrstol, Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis (AJSAC) Director; and Khristy Parker, MPA, AJSAC Research Professional.

The story notes:

"The Justice Center’s André Rosay, Lindsey Blumenstein, Brad Myrstol and Khristy Parker have conducted recent research and surveys that more sharply define where and why domestic violence happens in Anchorage and other areas of the state, how it looks in rural versus urban areas, helping lawmakers, Alaska State Troopers and others in the community better understand its nuances so they can more effectively address domestic violence issues.'The intention of [the Alaska Department of Public Safety’s] collaboration with the university is to embrace and learn from the results from the study—a step toward data-driven policymaking and maximizing the use of very limited departmental resources,' the troopers said in a January 2016 press release."

Read the full article here: 

"Shining light into the darkness of domestic violence" by Tracy Kalytiak. Green & Gold News. 17 Oct 2016 and Seawolf Monthly Oct 2016.

Dr. Blumenstein presents on intimate partner violence at Alaska Maternal Child Health & Immunization Conference

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice faculty, presented at the 2016 Alaska Maternal Child Health & Immunization Conference in Anchorage on September 27.  She discussed "Intimate Partner Violence, Mental Health, and Food Insecurity."

In her comments, Dr. Blumenstein noted that preliminary evidence suggests intimate partner violence (IPV) impacts food insecurity, and food insecurity is clearly associated with adverse mental health problems. She suggests that given the high rate of IPV in Alaska, more research is needed to clarify the interaction of IPV and food insecurity on the mental health of women across racial/ethnic groups, especially American Indian and Alaska Native women.

A focus of the conference was best practices or tools for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of key women's, children's, and adolescents' health issues in Alaska. This biennial event is sponsored by the Alaska Native Epidemiology Center and the Alaska Division of Public Health, Section of Women's, Children's, and Family Health.

Pre-Law Society co-sponsors Oct 5 UAA Campus bookstore event - book launch of Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters

The Pre-Law Society is a co-sponsor of the October 5 UAA Campus Bookstore event - the book launch of Alaskan author Lizbeth Meredith's memoir, Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters.  Ms. Meredith recounts her story of surviving intimate partner violence and her struggles to rescue her abducted daughters.

What: Book launch of Lisbeth Meredith's Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters
Where: UAA Campus Bookstore
When: Wednesday, October 5 - 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Parking: Free parking in the West Campus Central Lot, Sports Northwest Lot, South Lot, and the Sports Lot. Click here for a campus map.

Elsie Boudreau, a social worker, will join Ms. Meredith to lead a discussion about domestic violence, the unintended consequences of leaving an abuse relationship, and the important role of a caring community.

Other event sponsors include Abused Women's Aid in Crisis (AWAIC), Green Dot Alaska, Victims for Justice, YWCA Alaska, and the Alaska Humanities Forum.  This event is free and open to students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Alaska Victimization Survey results for Municipality of Anchorage show decline in intimate partner violence since 2010

Chancellor Tom Case (at podium) opens the press conference and thanks
the UAA Justice Center researchers and victims' services advocates.

The results of the 2015 Alaska Victimization Survey for the Municipality of Anchorage were released on August 26 at a press conference at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The 2015 survey was conducted by the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault  (CDVSA) and shows a decline in intimate partner and sexual violence in Anchorage since 2010. Ms. Lauree Morton, CDVSA Executive Director, and Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Director, presented the findings. 

Ms. Lauree Morton, CDVSA, (at podium) discusses the background of the survey. L to r: Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center; Ms. Mara Kimmel, First Lady of Anchorage; Ms. Keeley Olson, Standing Together Against Rape;
Ms. Suzi Pearson, Abused Women's Aid in Crisis; and Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice Center.

Results:
The 2015 Alaska Victimization Survey for the Municipality of Anchorage was conducted from May to August 2015. The survey was designed to measure lifetime and past-year experiences of sexual violence and intimate partner violence. Findings include:

• 1 in 2 adult women in the Municipality of Anchorage (48%) have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in their lifetime;
• 1 in 13 have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in the past year;
• The percentage of women in the Municipality of Anchorage who have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or both in their lifetime dropped from 55% to 48%.
• The percentage of women who have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or both in the past year dropped from 10% to 8%.
• Rates of violence against women in the Municipality of Anchorage remain unacceptably high.

Results from the 2015 survey of sexual violence against UAA students were also presented by Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice Center faculty. Conducted in the spring of 2016, this survey measured the prevalence of sexual misconduct and sexual assault against UAA students, both on and off campus. Findings include:

• From January 2015 to Spring 2016, 1 in 10 UAA students have experienced sexual assault and/or misconduct.
• 1 in 30 have experienced sexual assault.
• 1 in 11 have experienced sexual misconduct.

Details of the 2015 AVS are available at: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-health/departments/justice-center/research/alaska-victimization-survey/anchorage.cshtml
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/
To learn more about Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis, visit http://www.awaic.org
To learn more about Standing Together Against Rape, visit http://www.staralaska.com/

Alaska Victimization Survey results for Municipality of Anchorage to be released Friday, August 26, at UAA

WHAT:
Victimization Survey Results for Anchorage
This press conference will introduce the results of the 2015 victimization survey conducted in the Municipality of Anchorage by the UAA Justice Center through a contract with the Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA).

The survey was designed to measure lifetime and past-year experiences of sexual violence and intimate partner violence.  A brief overview of the survey will be followed by a presentation of the data and a discussion of the results.  The 2015 results will also be compared to results from the 2010-11 victimization surveys.

In addition, results from the 2015 survey of sexual violence against UAA students will also be presented.  Conducted in the spring of 2016, this survey measured the prevalence of sexual misconduct and sexual assault against UAA students, both on and off campus.

WHEN and WHERE:
Lucy Cuddy Hall, University of Alaska Anchorage
Friday August 26, 2016
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

WHO:
Chancellor Tom Case, UAA - Introductory comments
Ms. Lauree Morton, Executive Director, Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Dr. André B. Rosay, Director, UAA Justice Center
Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Assistant Professor, UAA Justice Center
Dr. Mara Kimmel, First Lady of Anchorage
Ms. Suzi Pearson, Executive Director, Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis
Ms. Keeley Olson, Executive Director, Standing Together Against Rape

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/
To learn more about Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis, visit http://www.awaic.org 
To learn more about Standing Together Against Rape, visit http://www.staralaska.com/

 

Alaska Victimization Survey results to be released Friday, August 26 at UAA

WHAT:
Victimization Survey Results for Anchorage
This press conference will introduce the results of the 2015 victimization survey conducted in the Municipality of Anchorage by the UAA Justice Center through a contract with the Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA).

The survey was designed to measure lifetime and past-year experiences of sexual violence and intimate partner violence.  A brief overview of the survey will be followed by a presentation of the data and a discussion of the results.  The 2015 results will also be compared to results from the 2010-11 victimization surveys.

In addition, results from the 2015 survey of sexual violence against UAA students will also be presented.  Conducted in the spring of 2016, this survey measured the prevalence of sexual misconduct and sexual assault against UAA students, both on and off campus.


WHEN and WHERE:
Lucy Cuddy Hall, University of Alaska Anchorage
Friday August 26, 2016
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm


WHO:
Chancellor Tom Case, UAA - Introductory comments
Ms. Lauree Morton, Executive Director, Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Dr. André B. Rosay, Director, UAA Justice Center
Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Assistant Professor, UAA Justice Center
Dr. Mara Kimmel, First Lady of Anchorage
Ms. Suzi Pearson, Executive Director, Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis
Ms. Keeley Olson, Executive Director, Standing Together Against Rape

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/
To learn more about Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis, visit http://www.awaic.org 
To learn more about Standing Together Against Rape, visit http://www.staralaska.com/

Dr. Blumenstein presents on Intimate Partner Violence and Resilience at Alaska Maternal Child Health & Immunization Conference in September

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice faculty, will be presenting at the 2016 Alaska Maternal Child Health & Immunization Conference in Anchorage in September.  She will be discussing "Intimate Partner Violence and Resilience" on September 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Click here for the conference agenda.

The conference is sponsored by the Alaska Native Epidemiology Center and the State of Alaska.

National Institute of Justice research report by Dr. Rosay cited in White House blog by White House Advisor on Violence Against Women

Research from a recent National Institute of Justice (NIJ) report by Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Director, was cited in the White House blog in a July 25, 2016 post by  Carrie Bettinger-Lopez, White House Advisor on Violence Against Women.  The report  by Dr. Rosay is titled, Violence against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men: 2010 Findings from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.

The blog post, "Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls: Commitments from the North American Leaders Summit," describes how President Obama; Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau; and the President of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto joined forces to announce a tri-lateral commitment to address the scourge of violence against indigenous women and girls that exists across North America.

Ms. Bettinger-Lopez noted in her post, "This May, the magnitude of this violence in our own country was driven home by a new report from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) with simply staggering statistics. The researchers found that more than 84% of Alaska Native and American Indian women had experienced some form of violence in their lifetimes...."

National Institute of Justice releases flyer based on research by Dr. Rosay - "Five Things About Violence against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men"

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has released a flyer based on research by Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Director, entitled "Five Things About Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men."

The flyer highlights the following:

1. Most American Indian and Alaska Native adults are victims of violence.
2. Men and women are victimized at similar rates but in different ways.
3. Victimization rates are higher for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
4. American Indian and Alaska Native female victims are more likely to need services, but they are less likely to have access to those services.
5. For American Indians and Alaska Natives, interracial violence is more prevalent than intraracial violence.

Click here to read Dr. Rosay's full report, Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men: 2010 Findings from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.

 Click here to download a copy of the flyer.

Dr. Rosay participates in Research for the Real World seminar at the National Institute of Justice with the Office of the Vice President, Office for Victims of Crime, and Office on Violence Against Women

L to r: Dr. Nancy Rodriguez, NIJ; Dr. André Rosay, UAA Justice Center; Carrie Bettinger-Lopez, J.D.,
White House Advisor - Office of the Vice President; Dr. Bea Hanson, Office on Violence Against Women;
and Joye Frost, Office for Victims of Crime, at the seminar.

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center director, presented findings from his recent research report on violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men for the "Research for the Real World" seminar at the National Institute of Justice in Washington, D.C. on June 23.

Following his presentation, he participated in a moderated discussion with Carrie Bettinger-Lopez, J.D., Advisor on Violence Against Women, Office of the Vice President; Joye Frost, Director, Office for Victims of Crime; and Dr. Bea Hanson, Principal Deputy Director, Office on Violence Against Women.  The discussion was moderated by Dr. Nancy Rodriguez, Director, National Institute of Justice.

The seminar was videotaped.  Watch for a blog post with the video link when it is available.

Read Dr. Rosay's research report here.