Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 106
03/31/2015 08:00 AM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SCR6 | |
| HB160 | |
| HB117 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SCR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 160 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 117 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SCR 6-SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH:APRIL 2015
8:07:13 AM
CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business would be
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6, Proclaiming April 2015 as
Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
8:07:33 AM
EDNA MORELAND, Staff, Senator Kevin Meyer, Alaska State
Legislature, explained that SCR 6 proclaims April 2015 as sexual
assault awareness month which is an annual campaign to raise
public awareness and educate communities and individuals on how
to prevent sexual assault violence across the nation. She
described sexual assault violence as a serious public health
problem affecting one in five women, and one in seventy-one men
in their lifetime. However, in Alaska, the rates are
approximately two and one-half times the national average and,
she noted, statistics do not [accurately] represent the problems
as often victims do not report the violence to the police.
Sexual assault violence can lead to long term physical and
mental health problems; therefore, she pointed out that bringing
awareness to the crime of sexual assault and recognizing the
enormity of the problem can be properly addressed and prevented
by lifting the veil of secrecy hiding these horrific crimes.
8:09:51 AM
PEGGY BROWN, Executive Director, Alaska Network on Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault, advised that the Alaska Network on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is comprised of
approximately 20 victim service agencies throughout the state.
Sexual assault and sexual abuse of minors is a problem in Alaska
and, she acknowledged there are many people performing good work
in assisting victims and survivors.
CHAIR LYNN asked Ms. Brown to describe two to three hurdles in
reducing sexual violence, and where to start in that people may
be reluctant to report the violence.
MS. BROWN emphasized "prevention, prevention, prevention," in
that sexual assault violence prevention education must be
present in every area that male and female children and/or young
adults reside and [the legislature] should review the criminal
arena for improvement. She pointed out that in 2012 there were
804 reported cases of sexual assault and of those 804, 8 percent
resulted in some type of correction, which sends the message
"why should I report." She said she has asked attorneys in the
legal system, Department of law attorneys, and paralegals,
should they be sexually assaulted would they report, and eight
out of ten said "No, because they just don't want to have to go
through the long process."
8:12:37 AM
CHAIR LYNN interjected "where the victim gets victimized twice."
MS. BROWN agreed, and related that people want to move on even
though they want the "bad guy" caught. She suggested shortening
the time a criminal case is addressed, and truly investing in
prevention work for sexual violence. She noted there has been a
slow reduction in teen sexual violence within the past five
years.
CHAIR LYNN closed public testimony after ascertaining no one
further wished to testify.
8:14:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report SCR 6 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, SCR 6 was reported from the
House State Affairs Standing Committee.