Governor Urges Awareness Of Domestic Violence: Current Trooper Reports Make It Difficult
"Stand Against Violence With Words & Actions," The Governor Says... But You Can't Stand Up To Something If You Don't ...
"Stand Against Violence With Words & Actions," The Governor Says...
Awareness Of Domestic Violence Requires Knowledge... From Accurate Trooper Reports
JOURNAL COMMENTARYOCTOBER 1ST, 2024
Once again, an Alaskan Governor has called upon the residents of Alaska to open our eyes to the genuine terrors of the state's decades-long epidemic of domestic violence, domestic rape, and rape of children.Governor Mike Dunleavy has just proclaimed this October "Domestic Violence Awareness Month." The Governor is urging the public to step up and defend the helpless. To do something."We must stand against domestic violence with our words and actions," Dunleavy said on October 1st, 2024, in a press release. Dunleavy follows a long line of governors and officials who have spoken out for many years on this dreadful topic – with little result. Alaska still ranks as one of the highest states in violence against women and children.
It's hard to be "aware" of something bad when you have no idea what's going on.A case in point is the problem of Alaska's own daily Trooper incident dispatches from around the state, which are distributed to the public over the web. Many of these dispatches ("Trooper Reports") consistently fail to report factual details on a number of topics, including almost all domestic violence cases occurring in rural communities.We all want to stand up for people who are suffering.But in Western Alaska and elsewhere, Trooper Reports fail to deliver. Frequently there's little or no real information. Many of the reports are pre-formatted templates that don't identify a village or suspected perpetrator – or give any pertinent details. This leaves the public unaware and incapable of speaking up (as the Governor urges us to do in the following press release) on behalf of those who are being hurt and in need our assistance.You can't comply with the Governor's request to stand up to something if you have no idea what it is, why it's so dangerous – or that it's even happening.It's time for better Trooper Reports across Alaska.
PRESS RELEASE: GOVERNOR MIKE DUNLEAVY
PROCLAMATION ON...
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
WHEREAS, all Alaskans deserve to be safe in their homes and communities. Domestic Violence is widespread and devastates many Alaskan families, and it is crucial that we combat these crimes; and
WHEREAS, across Alaska, the physical and emotional wounds of domestic violence affect men, women, and children in alarming numbers. Domestic violence violates an individual’s dignity, security, and humanity and can leave lifelong scars on the minds, bodies, and spirits of victims; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, approximately one in four women and one in seven men have been victims of domestic violence , and over 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence every year; and
WHEREAS, one in three adult women have been victims of stalking in their lifetime and one in nine Alaskan women age 60 or older experienced psychological or physical abuse in the past year; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence is a serious crime that ignores economic, racial, gender, educational, religious, and societal barriers. We recognize the disproportional impact these forms of violence have on Alaska Native populations, where four in five Alaska Native women have experienced one or more forms of violence in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, communities across the State are building prevention teams and implementing projects such as Green Dot AK, Girls on the Run, and Coaching Boys into Men, to stop domestic violence and ensure a safer future for all Alaskans; and
WHEREAS, those in need of assistance can call Alaska’s CARELINE, 877-266-4357, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233, for emergency crisis and intervention resources; and
WHEREAS, as Alaskans, we must stand against domestic violence with our words and actions. We must continue to build alliances among community groups, businesses, and governmental, educational, and faith-based organizations that will support our families and hold offenders accountable for their crimes; and
WHEREAS, in October of each year, we recognize victims and survivors of domestic violence and remind them they are not alone. Together we will foster a safer Alaska by providing resources in times of need, promoting healthy relationships, and sending a clear message that domestic violence will not be tolerated.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim October 2024 as:
Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to stand together against domestic violence by offering support to those in need, by seeking assistance if they or others they know are being harmed, and by recognizing the efforts of those who work to extend hope and provide healing to the survivors and victims of domestic violence.
Dated: October 1, 2024
