HCR 28-SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH  8:07:32 AM CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business was HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 28, Proclaiming the month of April 2012 to be Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 8:07:43 AM RACHEL KALLANDER, Staff, Representative Cathy Munoz, Alaska State Legislature, presented HCR 28 on behalf of the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee (HCRA), sponsor, on which Representative Munoz is chair. She stated that Alaska has the highest rates of sexual assault in the country, estimated at 2.5 times the national average; it is an epidemic that, until stopped, will continue to devastate Alaska's individuals, families, and communities. She said HCR 28, along with the governor's "Choose Respect" campaign, hopefully will send a message to Alaskans that sexual violence is not to be tolerated, silenced, or covered up. Ms. Kallander said the resolution recognizes the many volunteers, staff, and agencies that provide victims of sexual assault with safety, options, and justice. She said claiming April as sexual assault awareness month is "an honorable recognition of the great need in Alaska to combat this epidemic ... by speaking out, listening to those who have been harmed, and removing the veil of silence from this issue." She encouraged co-sponsorship of HCR 28. 8:10:17 AM MS. KALLANDER, in response to Chair Lynn, said the sponsor could work with the Office of the Governor to come up with a list of those to whom copies of the proposed concurrent resolution would be sent. 8:11:18 AM REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked what would be done to make the public aware of the designation of April 2012 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. MS. KALLANDER indicated that a resolution has been made [in Alaska] since 2001, and she said many communities and states across the country have had similar legislation since the 1990s. She said she would bring this issue up with the sponsor, and she expressed her hope that the delivery of this campaign's message would be aligned with the Choose Respect campaign. CHAIR LYNN suggested that a presentation could be made by the governor in conjunction with HCR 28. 8:12:37 AM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON, in response to Ms. Kallander's urging committee members to co-sponsor HCR 28, offered her understanding that the committee could not do so because HCR 28 is being presented by the House State Affairs Standing Committee already. CHAIR LYNN suggested that [a member of the committee] could make a statement when HCR 28 reaches the House floor. 8:13:41 AM ROWENA PALOMAR, Executive Director, Advocates for Victims of Violence (AVV), related that AVV is a shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and stated her support of the designation of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. She said the proposed legislation will send the message to victims that there are people ready to listen and help. Ms. Palomar listed the following activities AVV has planned in Valdez for April Sexual Assault Awareness Month: reading of the proclamation at the Valdez City Council meeting on April 2; a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event on April 3, which will be led by men walking in high heels and flip flops to get an idea of the position a woman is in when assaulted; partnering with the school district to have students draw depictions on t-shirts showing how they want to be protected, and displaying those t- shirts in the school; and holding a women of distinction event honoring female role models in the community. She expressed thanks to Ms. Kallander and emphasized the importance of women coming forward to tell their stories. 8:19:01 AM MS. PALOMAR, in response to Representative Seaton and Chair Lynn, stated her preference that all Aprils be designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month - not just 2012. 8:19:45 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON suggested finding out what the sponsor would like to do. 8:20:29 AM MS. KALLANDER said she does not know the position of the sponsor regarding that question, but once again offered her understanding that similar resolutions have been passed each year since 2001. 8:21:03 AM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON said she carried a resolution that made February Heart Awareness month, and she said the American Heart Association stated a preference for the resolution to be made each year. However, she noted that that resolution is still in the possession of the Senate, so it is too late for 2012. She said she thinks it would be a good idea to pass HCR 28 as a one- time resolution that would make every succeeding April Sexual Assault Awareness Month. MS. PALOMAR concurred. 8:22:23 AM CHAIR LYNN offered his understanding that that would require a bill, not just a resolution. 8:22:42 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG echoed the chair's remark. CHAIR LYNN said National Guard Day just passed in the form of a bill. He commented that no one knows today what legislative schedules will be a year from now. 8:23:53 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER said he would resist making a permanent designation, because people are uncomfortable talking about the issue and there is value in bringing it up each year. He said he would like a direct response from the sponsor on the issue before making this decision. CHAIR LYNN said it was unfortunate that Gavel to Gavel was not present to televise this meeting. 8:25:16 AM MS. KALLANDER stated a preference to speak with all involved agencies before the committee considered changing the proposed concurrent resolution to be perpetual. CHAIR LYNN suggested that that conversation take place before considering the issue again next year. 8:26:41 AM SARALYN TABACHNICK, Executive Director, Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE); Chair, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA), testified in support of HCR 28. She said the resolution states many reasons that this designation is important for Alaska, and she expressed appreciation for the committee's focus on the issue. She related that a 2010 survey revealed that over 37 percent of adult women in Alaska experience sexual violence in their lifetime. She said the survey did not count the number of men or children who have been victims of sexual violence. She stated that bringing awareness to the issue through HCR 28 will invite individuals and communities to speak about sexual assault, which will allow for greater intervention and prevention services. She said, "It helps take away the shame and take away the blame." MS. TABACHNICK listed the following activities planned in Juneau for April: a training to engage men in the work of AWARE, on April 3; a healing art exhibit on April 6; and the annual waterfront race on April 7. She said next week the governor will hold his Choose Respect march, which will take place in 120 communities in Alaska. She said AWARE appreciates the legislature's support for victims of sexual assault and violence. CHAIR LYNN pointed out that the elderly are also victims of sexual assault. 8:29:56 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER asked Ms. Tabachnick to clarify that she was talking about the normal response of the victims to feel shame and blame themselves. MS. TABACHNICK answered that is correct. CHAIR LYNN remarked that often there is shame and blame with family members who question why they were not aware of abuse going on within the family. 8:32:01 AM LAUREE MORTON, Executive Director, Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (CDVSA), Department of Public Safety, said she is currently in Fairbanks, Alaska, overseeing the training of eight sexual assault response teams, comprised of law enforcement officers, advocates, health care providers, and prosecutors. She stated her belief that it is important for "the leaders of the state to say with one voice that help is available, survivors will be believed, and offenders will be held accountable." She talked about the opportunity the legislature has to spread awareness, not only through HCR 28, but through constituent outreach. She spoke of safety at home and work, noting that coworkers and relatives are more likely than others to commit acts of sexual violence. MS. MORTON expressed her appreciation of the acknowledgment in HCR 28 of "the people who are dedicated to this work and the call to assist them in this effort." She said there are heroes around the state who respond to help victims of sexual assault. She thanked the committee for its "constant support and work on these issues over the years," and she asked for the committee's support of HCR 28. 8:35:10 AM CHAIR LYNN, after ascertaining that there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony. 8:35:26 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG reported that legal holidays are listed in AS 44.12.010. He said Martin Luther King Day was first set up as a "day of honor," then it moved to become a statute. He said, "There are a whole bunch of those statutes," ranging from AS 44.12.030 to AS 44.12.118. He offered some examples. He suggested that the committee may want to consider designating sexual awareness in statute. 8:37:34 AM MS. KALLANDER said that is an important question for next year, and she said she will speak with the sponsor and other agencies. 8:38:54 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report HCR 28 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCR was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.