Legislature(2007 - 2008)CAPITOL 106
05/01/2007 08:00 AM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR22 | |
| HB237 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 237 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HJR 22-DENOUNCE SALE OF "RAPIST" DOLL 8:06:11 AM CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business was HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22, Denouncing the National Entertainment Collectibles Association's production of the Rapist No. 1 collectible doll. 8:06:37 AM REPRESENTATIVE ANNA FAIRCLOUGH, Alaska State Legislature, presented HJR 22 as prime sponsor. She reported that Alaska has had the "dishonorable distinction" of ranking number one in the nation for 20 of the last 27 years and number five for all 27 years in the number of rapes that occur in the state. She expressed disbelief and horror that a toy manufacturer would put on the market, including the Internet, the rapist doll. She noted that she had worked for four years as the executive director of Standing Together Against Rape (STAR), and she said social change is one of the focuses of STAR. She opined that someone needs to take a stand. She clarified that she is not trying to violate anyone's constitutional right for freedom of speech, but she wants Alaskans and their legislature to unite in denouncing the sale of products "with this kind of vocabulary and this kind of message to our children." She offered her understanding that literature for the rapist doll states that the doll is suitable for children ages three and up. She concluded, "That is not agreeable with this parent of two teenage boys, and it certainly is not agreeable to this legislator." 8:08:28 AM CHAIR LYNN agreed that the rapist doll is totally inappropriate for any age. He said not only does the rapist doll glorify rape, it is clothed in a military uniform, which establishes a connection between rapists and the military. He said he finds that abhorrent. 8:09:30 AM REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN suggested that the sponsor specify that the statistics on page 1, lines 11-14, refer to the United States, not Alaska. He noted that those two statistics are the only ones that do not make a specific reference to area. He expressed his appreciation of the proposed resolution. 8:10:14 AM CHAIR LYNN suggested that the resolution be sent to whatever federal department is in charge of overseeing business practices. REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH said she would be happy to add that entity to the list of those who receive the resolution. She noted that she sent the resolution to the National Sexual Resource Center Advisory Board to let that board know the steps Alaska is taking, and to get national attention for the issue. 8:11:35 AM SHANNON R. BELL, Educator, Standing Together Against Rape (STAR), relayed that if Alaska's rape count were cut in half, the state would still rank twelfth in the nation. The area in the state with the highest occurrence of rape is Fairbanks. He asked the legislature to support the 1,800 who called the STAR crisis line last year by standing against the [marketing of the rapist doll]. He stated, "We need to show ... our community's attitude ... that we will not tolerate the message this doll sends to Alaska's children and families and men and women." He warned that silence on the matter could be interpreted as approval of the epidemic of violence. 8:15:14 AM CHRIS ASHENBRENNER, Interim Program Administrator, Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (CDVSA), Department of Public Safety, said without ever getting to the [cause] of sexual violence, all that gets treated is the [symptoms]. One way to get to the roots of sexual violence is to denounce society's promotion of violence of any kind against women and children. The proposed legislation, she said, would send the message that the state not only wants to hold offenders accountable, it also wants violence stopped at a societal level. 8:16:56 AM REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH, in response to a question from Chair Lynn, indicated her intent to contact toy manufacturers and/or stores. CHAIR LYNN stated concern that a raised level of controversy on the issue may spur activity "among the 'sickos' and perverts out there." 8:18:16 AM REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH said if the doll goes into production, she will introduce a tax of $1,200 per doll to be used to pay for the exams of those who have experienced rape. She clarified that it costs that much for the State of Alaska to respond to one rape. 8:19:10 AM REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH stated that rapists tend to objectify women, which is "why this is so insulting." She said objectifying someone's body disconnects people from the harm they are doing; they lose all respect for that person. The resolution would show that Alaska will not stand for any more violence, and it would send a message of support to victims. CHAIR LYNN talked about images seen in magazines and television that desensitize people. 8:21:32 AM REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL said the entertainment industry, in general, has objectified people. The proposed resolution would help hold people accountable. 8:22:20 AM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON encouraged the bill sponsor to contact the National Retail Association in an effort to broadcast the message of the proposed resolution more widely. He stated his support of HJR 22. 8:23:11 AM REPRESENTATIVE DOLL stressed the importance of moving beyond the pain of violence and sexual assault and taking action to stop it, and she thanked the bill sponsor for her work on HJR 22. 8:23:45 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG concurred with the previous speakers and emphasized the importance of the issue. 8:24:17 AM REPRESENTATIVE ROSES moved to report HJR 22 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HJR 22 was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.
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