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The League of Women Voters of Alaska believes all individuals have the right to live in a fear free environment, and to be safe from sexual assault; psychological, emotional and physical abuse; and neglect. A special degree of protection is needed for vulnerable, dependent people of any age.
Intervention by public agencies should take place when there is evidence of sexual assault, or of physical, psychological or emotional abuse, including stalking, of one family member by another. When necessary to separate family members, it is preferable to remove the perpetrator rather than the victim from the home, particularly if the victim is a child. Physical or sexual assault should be prosecuted whether or not the victim presses charges.
Federal, state and local governments should share responsibility for the health and safety of family members, with primary responsibility at state and local levels. All levels of government, private charitable contributions, and a special fund into which perpetrators are required to pay should share costs. To the maximum extent possible, perpetrators should be held financially responsible for these costs, and no victim should ever be required to pay any costs associated with a domestic violence or sexual assault incident.
Domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault require a coordinated response by law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges, social service and sexual assault victim agencies, and the medical community. All people who work with domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault incidents should receive special training.
Public services should include, regardless of the person's ability to pay:
· Preventative education, especially age-appropriate curriculum beginning early in schools, on the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, and anger control management, including conflict resolution, safety training, problem identification, and available assistance;
· Responsible, knowledgeable and informed police intervention and protection;
· Rehabilitation and treatment for incarcerated offenders;
· Alternatives to incarceration, when appropriate;
· Shelter for victims and their dependents;
· Sufficient numbers of social workers and available foster care;
· Adequate counseling of victims, perpetrators and other affected family members;
· Medical care and legal aid for victims;
· Alcohol and drug abuse treatment for all age groups, including teens;
· Coordinated social services delivery;
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· Anger control training; and
· Alternative housing for perpetrators.
Special attention should be paid to groups who have been inadequately served in the past, such as adolescents, people who experience disabilities, and the elderly.
Definitions
· Domestic violence means physical, psychological, or emotional harm including stalking, or the threat of physical, psychological or emotional harm, including stalking, between household or family members.
· Household or family members include spouses or former spouses, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, foster parents and children, members of a social unit comprised of those living together in the same dwelling, or persons in a dating, courtship, or engagement relationship.
· Physical, psychological or emotional harm includes abuse, neglect, stalking, and sexual assault.
· Sexual assault means engaging in sexual contact without consent or in violation of law, as provided in Alaska Statues 11.41.410-460.
· Stalking means a violation of the law, as provided in Alaska Statutes 11.41.260-270.
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