October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And 2,455 adult women in Alaska experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both in the past month. That estimate comes from a 2010 survey of adult women in Alaska.
In 2011, regional surveys were conducted in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Bristol Bay. The new results show that violence is an endemic problem throughout Alaska -- the percentage of adult women who experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both at some point in their lifetime was 51 percent in Anchorage, 57 percent in Fairbanks, 55 percent in Juneau, and 52 percent in Bristol Bay.
In every survey conducted so far, more than half of adult women in Alaska have experienced violence in their lives. These are our mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, co-workers and neighbors. They were raped, beaten and assaulted. Some were burned on purpose. Others were strangled. Some were physically forced to have sex. Others were raped when they were intoxicated and unable to consent.
Although rates of violence over the past year were much lower, they were equally disturbing. Within the past year, intimate partner violence or sexual violence was experienced by 9 percent of adult women in Anchorage, 12 percent of adult women in Fairbanks, 13 percent of adult women in Juneau, and 14 percent of adult women in Bristol Bay. More than one of every 10 adult women in Alaska experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both in the past year.
That's too many. Violence -- both interpersonal and sexual -- is too often a reality for too many women in Alaska. When faced with such a troubling reality, it is easy to feel hopeless in our efforts to end violence against women.
Instead communities are taking up the call to action that these numbers demand. Coordinated efforts such as "Girls on the Run," "Engaging Boys and Men" and the "Green Dot" bystander intervention program are under way. Becoming involved in community action only takes a quick call to your regional victim service provider.
Consider organizing a march in your community. Last year, 64 communities marched to Choose Respect. For 2012, the goal is 100. Go to the Choose Respect page on the governor's website to get started.
Maybe you are wondering how one individual can make a difference. Knowing that one of two women have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence or both, learn more about the issues. Visit the Real Alaskan Men Choose Respect or the Stand Up Speak Up websites. Search bystander intervention on the Internet.
Create a safe space for women to share their stories with you. Listening is a key first step -- not judging and not telling someone what to do -- but listening.
Bear witness so the women in your life know they are not alone -- they deserve to be safe and respected. Influence the actions of your family, friends and co-workers. As you model respectful behavior toward women, others who look up to you will too. Learn more, create a safe space and influence.
Take the awareness gained in October into November, the winter and the spring. Practice a way of being that promotes peace for all Alaskans -- women, children and men. Every human being has the right to be safe and free from violence in their own homes, in their relationships and in their communities.
We are asking for your help to end the violence against Alaska women and to honor the voices of the 3,311 women who invested time and effort to participate in the Alaska Victimization Survey. They re-lived horrendous experiences, experiences that no one should be subjected to, to help the rest of us understand the extent of intimate partner and sexual violence in Alaska. Their voices must never be ignored.
André Rosay is the director of the UAA Justice Center and the principal investigator for the Alaska Victimization Survey. Lauree Morton is executive director of the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Details on the survey are available on the UAA Justice Center website (http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/avs).
By ANDRE ROSAY and LAUREE MORTON