(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - The Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) has released its 2017 annual report outlining changes, progress, and enduring commitment to combatting Alaska’s high rates of intimate partner violence.

The Council has also released its Fiscal Year 2019-2021 Request for Proposals (RFP) for community-based victim services grant programs. Grant recipients will provide critical and immediate emergency services and referrals to Alaskans impacted by domestic and sexual violence.
 
“Alaska and Alaskans have made great strides in addressing domestic and sexual violence throughout our state,” CDVSA Board Chair Rachel Gernat said. “However, work still remains. The programs we have in place and the organizations and individuals working on the front lines continue to need the support of the State so that we can help all Alaskans suffering from interpersonal and sexual violence.”

According to the 2017 annual report, 3,058 unduplicated participants received emergency or transitional shelter with 106,881 shelter nights provided with an average stay of 35 nights.

Primary issues reported by victims being served:

70% domestic violence
28% sexual assault
7% stalking/harassment
15% other violent crimes

In a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs survey conducted by the UAA Justice Center in partnership with the Council, the survey found that Alaskans agree that domestic violence and sexual assault are problems in their community (79%); that Alaska adults have a responsibility to intervene if they see such behavior occurring (94.7%); and that when people engage in sexual activity with each other, there needs to be clear, verbal, and conscious agreement throughout the entire sexual experience (88.8%).

CDVSA’s Community-Based Victim Services Grant Program provides funds to support local crisis intervention organizations across Alaska. The Council is committed to ensuring that Alaskans in need of support services have access to them, and will be well-served by the organizations providing them. A copy of the RFP is available on the State Online Public Notices.
 
“Alaskans who are seeking support during a crisis deserve coordinated, comprehensive services that meet their unique needs,” CDVSA Executive Director L. Diane Casto said. “The RFP process is designed to ensure that grantees will deliver services tailored to local communities, and increase our capacity to provide survivors with the support they need. We look forward to reviewing applications and continuing our work protecting and supporting victims, and holding offenders accountable.”

During 2017, the Council provided training on sexual assault response, and prioritized public outreach, engagement, and prevention through numerous other trainings, partnerships, and collaborations. Moving forward, CDVSA remains committed to enhancing sexual assault response, and expanding Alaska’s batterer’s intervention programs (BIPs) to support victims and change perpetrator behavior.

Also in May 2017, CDVSA welcomed new Executive Director L. Diane Casto. 
 

On the Web:

The Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA): 2017 annual report

Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Public Safety
www.dps.state.ak.us

 

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