HCR 22-APRIL 2018:SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH    3:37:08 PM CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 22, Proclaiming April 2018 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 3:37:43 PM HANS RODVIK, Staff, Representative Charisse Millett, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Millett, prime sponsor of HCR 22, relayed that the proposed resolution would proclaim April 2018 Sexual Assault Awareness Month. He said it is no surprise that the state has work to do in preventing violence; Alaska's sexual assault rates are some of the worst in the nation. He noted that the rates are cited in the resolution. He stated that sexual violence affects Alaskans with no regard to race, socioeconomics, region, or gender; it is felt throughout the entire state. MR. ROSVIK relayed that it is easy to feel demoralized by the statistics and the presentations; however, the proposed resolution is needed as a point for change. Alaska has excellent resources throughout the state from the top down; resources that are working on the issue and are dedicated to preventing sexual assault and violence: Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) - a letter of support is included in the committee packet; Standing Together Against Rape (STAR); Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE) in Juneau; Abused Women's Aid in Crises (AWAIC); Tundra Women's Coalition (TWC) in Bethel; Green Dot Alaska; Girls on the Run (GOTR); Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM); and other violence prevent projects in Anchorage, Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Homer. MR. ROSVIK offered that there are "changemakers," both old and young, taking Alaska's rate of serious sexual violence to task. He stated that rates are on the decline; he noted the research in the committee packet. He indicated that there is more work to be done; sexual violence should never be tolerated. He maintained that a resolution is needed every year because it represents an important conversation and something upon which Alaska needs to be focused. He maintained that with the proposed resolution, Alaska can join the conversation, support survivors, and prevent future violence.