Thursday, March 13, 2014

CNN series of articles on violence against women in Alaska cites Justice Center research

A recent series of articles in February and March by CNN reporter John Sutter explored the issue of violence against women in Alaska.  For the series, Mr. Sutter interviewed Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Director, and highlighted research on this topic from the Alaska Victimization Survey and other Justice Center reports.  Links to articles in the CNN series are listed below.

Dr. Rosay also participated in a CNN webinar with John Sutter on February 4 about this tragic problem.

Impact of the Alaska Victimization Survey
From February 7 article, "Governor: "Alaska has an epidemic"
Across Alaska, I saw the power of a statewide survey analyzed by the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center, and funded by the state.  "The survey effectively ended debate about whether Alaska has a problem with domestic violence and sexual assault," said André Rosay, director of the center. The 2010 survey of 871 adult women found 37% had suffered sexual violence and 59% had been the victim of sexual violence and/or intimate partner violence in their lifetimes.
"It was shocking and distressing for many people" to see how common violence against women really was in Alaska, said Lauree Morton, executive director of the Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, a state-funded agency. That survey also has spurred change.
How You Can Help
From February 6 article, "This 104-year old woman started a secret women's shelter; help her change Alaska"  (The following is a condensed version. Please see the original article for the full text.)

"Here are five simple ways you can help make a difference:
  1. Donate to worthy organizations
  2. Start a petition to get cops in every village
  3. Tell your story as part of the 'We are the 59%' [59% refers to the statewide estimate of the number of adult women in Alaska who have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence or both in their lifetime according to the 2010 Alaska Victimization Survey]
  4. Host a 'Choose Respect' rally (from your phone) [the next Choose Respect event will be March 27 in Alaska communities statewide. See Governor Parnell's webpage for details.]
  5. Demand rape kits are counted and tested"

Links to CNN series articles by John Sutter:

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