SCR 6-SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH: APRIL 2015  8:32:13 AM VICE CHAIR COGHILL announced the consideration of SCR 6. 8:32:22 AM SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SCR 6, provided an overview of the resolution. He said the resolution proclaims April 2015 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is part of an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence across the nation. Sexual violence is a very serious public health problem. It affects millions of men and women. The Centers for Disease Control reports that in the United States, one in five women and one in seventy-one men have experienced violent sexual assault in their lifetime. In Alaska, these rates are much higher - almost two-and-a-half times the national average. Statistics underestimate the problem because many victims do not tell the police, family, or friends about the violence. He said that sexual violence impacts health in many ways and can lead to long-term mental and physical health problems. By bringing awareness to the crime of sexual assault and recognizing the enormity of the problem, we can begin to address it and heal from it and, hopefully, prevent it. SCR 6 is a small but significant step in educating the public and our communities on lifting the veil of secrecy that so often hides these horrific crimes. 8:33:04 AM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI joined the committee meeting. VICE CHAIR COGHILL asked if the committee had any questions. SENATOR MCGUIRE spoke in support of the resolution and thanked Senator Meyer for bringing it forward. She asked that testifiers provide comments on planned actions to combat sexual violence. She pointed out Alaska's sexual assault statistics - number one in the nation in every category. VICE CHAIR COGHILL commented that SCR 6 is a conversation starter. 8:36:26 AM SUZI PEARSON, Executive Director, Abused Women's Aid in Crisis (AWAIC), thanked the committee for SCR 6 and for acknowledging the significant prevention work that domestic violence and sexual assault agencies throughout Alaska achieve in order to stop the cycle of violence. She explained a program in Anchorage called "Green Dot," a model of primary prevention formed by the Anchorage Alliance on Violence Prevention. It is a very collaborative, successful method of decreasing sexual violence. 8:38:46 AM VICE CHAIR COGHILL thanked Ms. Pearson. SENATOR MCGUIRE asked if Ms. Pearson was aware of Erin's Law. MS. PEARSON answered yes. SENATOR MCGUIRE asked if Ms. Pearson is supportive of providing sexual assault awareness for young people in schools and whether it could relate to Green Dot. MS. PEARSON replied that domestic violence is cyclical in nature and generational. The only way to stop it is through teaching the current generation about healthy relationships and the best ways to protect themselves. She stressed the importance of focusing on youth, educating them, and providing them with great tools. She said Green Dot is based on peer relationships with leaders in schools who were trained and then trained their peers. It creates an environment that said violence is not ok, as well as allows students to step in when they see inappropriate behavior. She provided an example. VICE CHAIR COGHILL noted issues with having the programs in schools. He thanked Ms. Pearson for her presentation. 8:42:07 AM BETH BOGARDE, Executive Director, Women in Safe Homes (WISH), testified in support of SCR 6. She said everyone knows someone who has been sexually assaulted. The traumatic effects of sexual assault are life long, not only for the person who has suffered the abuse, but also for the children, family members, and future relationships. She listed some of the programs the resolution would support, such as COMPASS for males. She described the partnerships WISH has, how WISH uses Native culture in its programs, and positive outcomes. 8:46:22 AM MS. BOGARDE addressed the high number of assaults upon persons with disabilities. She said SCR 6 is one more call to action to reduce assaults on all populations. SENATOR COGHILL thanked Ms. Bogarde. 8:48:24 AM KEITH MALLARD, Chief of Police, University of Alaska - Fairbanks Police Department, expressed his support for SCR 6. He spoke of his history working in public service and his passion for protecting others. He shared his personal history of abuse and lack of intervention by those who were aware of it. He pointed out that those issues remain in society today, but that he has hope because of efforts to educate bystanders, such as with programs like Green Dot. He noted that Green Dot is coming to the Fairbanks campus. He stressed that everyone can agree that interpersonal violence is unacceptable, and everyone must do their part to combat it. 8:52:52 AM SENATOR MCGUIRE thanked Chief Mallard for his testimony and for sharing his personal experience. She stressed the importance of strong male figures and the need for a cultural change. She asked for other ideas to encourage citizens to become more involved in prevention. 8:55:12 AM CHIEF MALLARD answered that the power of individual choice is very important toward addressing this issue. Programs like Green Dot provides the skills to accomplish that. SENATOR HUGGINS joined the committee meeting. VICE CHAIR COGHILL thanked Chief Mallard for his testimony. 8:59:22 AM ROWENA PALOMAR, Executive Director, Advocates for Victims of Violence, testified in support of SCR 6. She provided an overview of sexual assault in Valdez, which holds the record for the most sexual assaults by one man in Alaska. She said her job is to let victims know that there is help available for them. Valdez now has a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). VICE CHAIR COGHILL thanked Ms. Palomar. 9:03:07 AM SARALYN TABACHNIK, Executive Director, AWARE, Inc., testified in support of SCR 6, noting it was very comprehensive. She voiced appreciation for the recognition for individual community, agency, and statewide prevention efforts. She spoke about one of those efforts, "Girls on the Run." It is an international program that began in 1996 in North Carolina and has grown to over 1 million girls. It envisions a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dream. In Juneau, a pilot program of Girls on the Run was started in 2008. She described the program's curriculum, results, and successes throughout the state. 9:08:02 AM MS. TABACHNIK concluded with the resolution's comprehensive approach to preventing sexual abuse. She voiced appreciation for the long-term investment. SENATOR COGHILL thanked Ms. Tabachnik. SENATOR MCGUIRE thanked Ms. Tabachnik. She asked what could be done to engage young men more. 9:10:52 AM MS. TABACHNIK pointed out a program called "Boys Run" that incorporates Native values. She hoped to partner with other agencies on it. 9:13:11 AM LAUREE MORTON, Executive Director, State Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, testified in support of SCR 6. She related that many of the programs the committee heard today involve increasing protective factors and building resiliency among young people because they are then less likely to engage in violent behaviors in sexual assault, and in domestic violence. She noted two additional programs, "Coaching Boys into Men," working with male athletes, and "Talk Now, Talk Often," a program for parents. She voiced appreciation for the committee's efforts toward ending domestic violence and sexual assault. VICE CHAIR COGHILL thanked Ms. Morton. He appreciated learning more about available programs. SENATOR STOLTZE said the resolution has a zero fiscal note. 9:16:39 AM SENATOR STOLTZE moved to report SCR 6 from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, the motion carried. VICE CHAIR COGHILL announced SCR 6 moved out of committee.