April 15, 2021 (Anchorage, AK) – Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has declared April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Alaska. The Department of Public Safety wants victims and survivors of sexual assault across Alaska to know they are not alone, and that help is available. The Alaska State Troopers thoroughly investigate any report of sexual assault that occurs in their area of responsibility. There are several reporting options available to victims of sexual assault and two of them are anonymous reporting and the reporting of historical cases.
“The Alaska State Troopers and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners are committed to doing our part to end the epidemic of sexual assault in Alaska,”
said Alaska State Troopers Director, Colonel Bryan Barlow. “Every Alaskan has a right to live without fear of being sexually assaulted, and Troopers are working tirelessly to thoroughly investigate these reprehensible acts made against far too many Alaskans in both urban and rural Alaska.”
“Alaskans have heard the horrific sex crimes statistics for years, but it is up to all of us to come together and create an environment where survivors can come forward, be heard, and begin the healing process”
said Alaska Council of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) Executive Director L. Diane Casto. “Eliminating Alaska’s high rate of sexual assault is a monumental task, and CDVSA will continue to work with our law enforcement and victims service partners towards the goal of a safer Alaska.”
In Alaska, victims are afforded the time to consider if they wish to formally report to law enforcement without forgoing evidence collection that might be crucial to a successful prosecution. This is referred to as anonymous reporting. Both state and federal law provide victims the opportunity for a forensic medical exam regardless of their cooperation or if they have reported the crime to law enforcement. This allows time for a victim to consider their options and still receive the medical care and resources so important to the healing process.
The benefit to anonymous reporting is that a victim can have access to medical care, as well as crucial evidence collected and documented by a trained medical provider while also having time to consider whether they wish to formally report. In anonymous cases, the evidence collected will be stored at the Alaska State Crime Lab indefinitely or until the victim decides to formally report their case to law enforcement. The evidence collected in anonymous cases will not be reviewed or processed by the Crime Lab unless the victim decides to formally report to law enforcement.
Along with anonymous reporting, victims and survivors are also able to make a report with law enforcement for a sexual assault that may have occurred some time ago. While delaying a report to law enforcement may pose investigative challenges, every victim is entitled to making a report no matter the length of time that has passed. If you are uncertain if you can or should report a sexual assault that happened in the past, contact your local victim service provider. Victims can have a confidential conversation with them and discuss their options for reporting as well as resources, counseling, and support.
If you or a loved one is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or child abuse, the following resources are available to you at no cost:
- For immediate response call 911
- Alaska 2-1-1 for assistance, referrals, resources
- Alaska’s CARELINE at 877-266-4357
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673)
- To report child abuse at 800-478-4444 or online at ReportChildAbuse@alaska.gov
- For a listing of local victim services 24/7 hotlines go to: https://dps.alaska.gov/CDVSA/Services/VictimServices
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