Legislature(2001 - 2002)
03/13/2001 04:02 PM House HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HCR 7-APRIL 2001 SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH CHAIR DYSON announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 7, Relating to proclaiming April 2001 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. [Before the committee, although not formally adopted, was Version F (22-LS0620\F, Utermohle, 2/28/01.] Number 0045 REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MEYER, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HCR 7, came forth and stated that he and Representative Guess, cosponsor, thought that a resolution format would help the public to be more aware of the sexual assaults that occur in Alaska. He said HCR 7 recognizes the need for awareness, prevention, and education concerning sexual assault. By observing [Sexual Assault Awareness Month], schools, communities, organizations, individuals, agencies, and businesses are encouraged to educate and work in order to increase the public's awareness of sexual assaults in Alaska. He stated that sexual assault is one of the most violent and underreported crimes in Alaska and that statistics paint a grim picture for the state. The occurrences of rape have been increasing over the past year, and Alaska [experiences a rate] two times higher than the national average. He stressed that sexual assault affects not only the lives of the victims, but also the families, friends, and communities of the victim. Number 0170 REPRESENTATIVE MEYER stated that HCR 7 also recognizes and appreciates the dedicated staff and volunteers that provide victims the support and advocacy needed to cope with the trauma. He concluded that it is necessary to work together to prevent sexual assault and make a statement that sexual assault is not acceptable. Number 0229 REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA stated that HCR 7 is very important. She said it is interesting, having served on the Public Safety Finance Subcommittee for the last three years, that the hardest thing to get level funding for has been the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. REPRESENTATIVE MEYER remarked that funding is hard to get for anything. By bringing this forth as a resolution, the issue is given a little more exposure than if it were just a citation. He recognized that there are a lot of good groups helping with this cause such as the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and STAR (Standing Together Against Rape). Number 0418 LAUREE HUGONIN, Director, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, came forth to testify in support of HCR 7. She stated that April is marked as sexual assault awareness month in many states across the nation. She said she encourages people to participate in the Take Back the Night marches that will be ongoing and the candlelight ceremonies, which are forums for victims to speak about what has happened to them. She concluded that to be present and witness these testimonies is a powerful and encouraging thing. CHAIR DYSON inquired as to the number of males that are victims of sexual assault in Alaska. MS. HUGONIN replied that according to national statistics, before the age of 18 one in six boys will be sexually assaulted and one in four girls. She noted that the number is based on what is reported through the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), which she understands is an underreporting. She added that there are adult male victims, but Alaska does not keep statistics primarily on gender. Number 0557 CHAIR DYSON remarked that he finds most of his colleagues are unaware of how many boys are sexually assaulted and molested in Alaska. He made a motion to adopt a conceptual amendment on page 1, after line 7 [of version F] to read: "whereas 40 percent of child sexual assaults reported to Alaska child advocacy centers are males, and male rapes in prison is a significant or profound problem". There being no objection, the conceptual amendment was adopted. REPRESENTATIVE MEYER remarked that he, Representative Guess, and Representative Croft serve on the Board or Directors of STAR, which advocates for women as well as men. Number 0670 REPRESENTATIVE JOULE made a motion to move HCR 7 [version F, 22- LS0620\F, Utermohle, 2/28/01], as amended, from the committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHCR 7(HES) moved from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
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