Judge Corey wasn’t the only one to fail a sexual violence survivor, but accountability matters.

It is to be expected that critics of the effort to vote Judge Michael Corey off the bench will call for "cooler heads to prevail," predictable that commenters will say you can't speak rationally to the irrational. Yes, it is to be expected that the defenders of the status quo, the defenders of a system that has failed its most vulnerable citizens, will imply that women can't possibly understand the system or what is broken. That women, faced with endemic social and judicial injustice, can't possibly govern their emotions and act in their own or society's best interests.

It is to be expected, but it is wrong.

Women know the odds. Women face the odds every day. Not just in a judicial system that fails to represent us, but in our homes, our workplaces, on the streets, and in our schools.

However, the effort to vote out Judge Corey is not about that. It is about one crime, one victim upon whom that crime was perpetrated, and the one criminal who caused it all. Yes, it is about the insufficiency of the law, the serpentine sentencing guidelines and so much more. The circumstances are as we find them.

Judges stand for retention from time to time. It has long been the public's right to have a voice and determine whether Judge Corey, or any other judge standing for retention, has earned our trust and the right to remain on the bench.

I have no ill will toward Judge Corey.

I do think he failed to protect the public. He failed to keep in mind that Justin Schneider's crime involved a victim. His own language at the sentencing is damning: "Those who learn about what is transpiring here today would find the result breathtaking."

Here again, there was room in the system to blame the woman. She became uncooperative. She can't be found. These are excuses. It is unfortunate that the assistant district attorney is not up for a retention vote. He, too, has failed the public he is sworn to serve.

Be assured in the days leading to Nov. 6, people will tell you it's the laws, it's the system, it's not about Judge Corey. But it is a system written, governed, interpreted and applied by people.

Judge Corey is one of those people.

Our options at this juncture are not perfect. Voting no on retaining Judge Corey is the limited option the public has, kind of like poor sentencing guidelines. Our hands are tied. We'll have to go with voting him out.

I pray every woman who goes to the polls finds the courage and strength to do just that. The courage not to be bullied by the shamers and critics who want to defend the failing system.

I pray that every father, brother, husband and son can support the women in their lives by voting no.

Your no vote says no more free passes, no more revictimization of women.

My expectation is that Judge Corey will be retained. Because that's what always happens. Because I am so irrational.

But there can be enough no votes to send a message. Enough no votes to get the attention of the Alaska State Legislature, the Department of Law, the attorneys, judges and all the other people that are part of a failing system. Time is up.

Whatever the numbers are on Nov. 6, I pray they are loud enough for every exploiter, abuser and rapist to hear. Alaska is no longer their predatory playground. Alaska women will no longer be silent. And I say that with a clear head and a firm grasp on how daunting a task we have before us.

Vote no on Judge Michael Corey on Nov. 6.

Wanetta Ayers is a lifelong Alaskan who has worked for three decades in community and economic development.

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