Saturday, May 18, 2013
Weather
Reversing Sexual Assault Statistics Is About Attitude, Social Workers SaySexual assault rates steady in past decadeRelated Content
ANCHORAGE—Over the last decade, reports of sexual assault across Alaska have remained constant, and this year the numbers continue to increase rather than decrease. The Anchorage Police Department has received 176 reports of sexual assault so this year, compared to 253 reports in 2010—but police note that they expect to receive more cases in the next four months, before the year is over.
The highest reported cases of sexual assault were in 2009 with 265 victims.
“We’re fighting an uphill battle with attitudes from Hollywood, the entertainment industry, they seem to put out the idea that this kind of thing is somehow acceptable,” said Anchorage police spokesperson Lt. Dave Parker.
The numbers exclude victims who are homeless, in a shelter, or behind bars. It also leaves out non-English speaking people.
“We know that there's lot of victims, male and female, that aren’t reporting, aren’t calling,” said Erin Patterson, an advocate with Standing Together Against Rape (STAR).
She says because not everyone reports the sexual assaults, there isn’t a clear picture on exactly how many victims are out in the community.
Advocates say the community needs to also help victims, rather than blame them.
“I think until victims feel like they're going to be supported and believed by community, there’s always going to be hesitation to come forward and make a report to the police,” said Patterson.
STAR advocates say in order to fight the staggering statistics, Alaskans need to change the way they think about relationships.
“We’ve got to start talking to kids at 2 and 3 years old about the way that they perceive gender differences, equality, and respecting each other and respecting there bodies,” Patterson said.
According to STAR, the state spends more than $9 million every year for victim services.
|
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
|
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
REALLY? said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 7:09 AM
Alaska is the least populated state in USA... Alaska is the highest in revenue in USA... Alaska is the first in crimes in USA... So who cooks the books and who gets a bonus??? Last was Palin...Todd transferred monies... See what money does??? See the children???
73119523WAKE UP ALASKA said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 7:47 AM
Most of those rapes must be that dirty cop
73122377Just Sayin said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 10:13 AM
We need to define "rape." There is knife in the ribs rape, older respected man forced me to rape, got drunk and didn't know it was happening rape, got all excited and regretted it the next morning rape, all the way to fought with husband and then he forced sex rape. The first and last ones are assault, not just rape. The rest could be prevented. We need to teach girls (and women, obviously) to say "No" - mean it and enforce it. We need to teach them not to get themselves in a position where they could get raped, whether it is getting too drunk to take care of themselves or walking down a dark street in the middle of the night - or accepting a "free" ride from a taxi driver. I will be accused of blaming the victim. We have to teach the vulnerable how to NOT BE A VICTIM! We will never stop the low-life creeps from being low-life creeps. The answer is to teach girls how to stay out of situations where they become vulnerable. We have to take personal responsibility for our own safety!
73133447Michelle said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 11:42 AM
No means no under any circumstances. Just because a female walks down the street in the middle of the night does NOT make her at fault. The person who touches and takes what does not belong to him is guilty of rape/assault....rape is assault - there is no difference.
73138542Just Sayin said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 12:23 PM
Sorry Michelle... While walking along a dark street alone at night does not give permission to be raped, it can be part of the problem. Yes, it is the fault of the rapist. Everyone agrees on that. But the victim is the one that is harmed the most. Is it good to be right - or to be safe? It is attitudes like this that result in more and more women being raped. Teach girls to be safe - not to take chances and trust others to do what is right. We have to depend on ourselves - the law only steps in after the harm is done.
73140749APD does suck said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 4:22 PM
The system is a joke! The TSA sexually assaults people everyday and nobody says a thing. Time for some permanent drastic changes!HOW MUCH MORE CAN WE TAKE??? come on people WAKE UP!
73152143Mychael X said on Wednesday, Aug 31 at 1:01 AM
Lets not forget about the A.P.D. officer Anthony Rollins, the mass rapist who said in court that there are other officers(pigs) were doing the same thang he was doing picking up women non- english speaking and english speaking taking them to the sub-stations and raping them were is S.T.R know were to be found just a bunch of women doing nothing or the are scare to investigate the police and this Lt parker trying to blame it on the hollywood life style were is the news stations not news enough to cover this story. this is the worst state in the U.S A raping state lets not forget about what A.Rollins said there are other officers that are doing what he is doing.this is a dirty police department. And i know it for a fact there are alot of street girls who can tell you all about certain cops(pigs0.
73166139Marian said on Wednesday, Aug 31 at 12:38 PM
STAR helps some people but not all. I was actually turned away for services and told by Erin that if the police were not doing anything than they wouldn't be able to either. The whole experience was not pleasant, APD detective interview, STAR advocate present, and AK Cares nurses there. Next time I urge people to go directly to the Alaska State Troopers! Don't go to the hospital, don't go to APD, go and or call the Alaska State Troopers. They actually take crimes seriously. STAR advertises they help with surgical procedures but I was denied any type of help for my genital disfiguration BECAUSE APD doesn't do anything than we don't offer you help or even the application to fill out.
73198247Anonymous said on Friday, Jan 27 at 3:29 PM
STAR and AWAIC does turn away VICTIMS...doesn't suprise me...up here in Alaska it is about WHO you are and WHO you know...there is a HOT-POTATO case that has two cases and ABI Manrique thought it would be funny to share photos with Sarah Palin... That is both illegal and immoral but hey this is Alaska - what happens in Alaska stays in Alaska... How is Jan Brewer doing??? Advice backfired eh Palin
80529323OfficeOfCivilRights said on Saturday, Jan 28 at 4:47 PM
Anyone effected by the lack of prosecution due to bias attitudes by officials of past or current are encouraged to file a complaint online with the Office of Civil Rights in Washington DC. Simply go the WhiteHouse website and scroll down to the Office of Civil Rights and file online. They can assist you to bring charges against officials who show favoritism and fail to prosecute on grounds that there is not enough evidence. That is illegal and we need to know how many cases like that are in Alaska in order to send investigators to Alaska to do home-visits, gather intel and evidences and bring them back to Washington DC to be reviewed.
80568012Add a comment
Most Popular