The issues of sexual and domestic violence in Alaska are not new and are not often the subjects of candidates running for office. I commend Gov. Parnell for bringing focus to the issue in this election year. When my story of surviving sexual violence became public while I was running for congressional office, I was told by well meaning former politicians not to make violence against women an issue if I wanted to be taken seriously. We all need to make it an issue, whether we run for office or not. However, in the enthusiasm of elections and public persuasion, some genuine solutions may be neglected.
Although the governor's task force on sexual and domestic violence works to tackle the issue, they seem to be new to the problem. Like so many before them, the effort centers on increasing prosecution of offenders. Those of us who have had to delve into the complexities of abuse dynamics over the years understand that it takes more than building a new crime lab or forcing offenders who move from other states to register. Good as these intentions are, they fail to address:
• prevention of violence
• continued safety of victims
• effective and accessible judicial proceedings and safe and responsive protective orders
• jurisdictional confusion and appropriate utilization of local governments
• effective mandatory reporting systems
• barriers and resources for women seeking help, and
• restorative justice and methods for rebuilding communities damaged by violence.
Some efforts toward ending violence can become politicized knee-jerk responses that create more problems than they solve. We saw this under the Knowles administration in regard to domestic violence and the mandatory jailing of the accused. Too often innocent men were and are incarcerated, their jobs jeopardized, and their record marred before they could prove their innocence. Furthermore, they were denied their constitutional right to bear arms. In communities that rely on that person as hunter and provider, this can be further harmful. Violating the constitutional rights of men does not solve the problem.
Problems exist as well when putting too much emphasis on sex offender registry as a solution. There are still very real tribulations with the mandatory registration of any type of sex offender regardless of severity and circumstances. A lesser single act committed under the influence should not merit the same contempt as a repeat offender who preys on women or children. It's about rational, well-thought-out law and genuine efforts to protect the public and the constitution.
When it comes to creating useful law it requires less naiveté and greater experience, and the avoidance of political hysteria. Former Commissioner of Public Safety Walt Monegan had a prosecution plan to use mobile teams working with local groups in rural Alaska, but he was removed from office by the previous governor before he could act on the plan. No one since has picked it up.
A sensible approach may also be found in the evaluation of the intersection of federal, state, local and tribal law, and then filling the gaps. In addition, it would behoove the state to look less toward filling more prisons, and more toward providing drug and alcohol treatment programs, and supporting the efforts of not only the women's shelters, but of funding already-created community solutions.
Yes, we must separate perpetrators from the public, but we also have to ensure that unwarranted removal of children from their homes, for example, and other rights violations do not occur in our zeal to end violence.
Sen. Hollis French has taken the initiative over the years to consider the value of increasing drug and alcohol treatment programs in prisons, and ISER research has demonstrated that this could be the most cost-effective method for decreasing crime. Decreasing crime should be our objective. Community response is part of the solution, and probably the most advantageous effort by the governor in calling out state leadership and the public to change its attitude and encourage respect. To create other more fundamental change requires knowledge and experience.
Diane E. Benson is a professor of women's studies and violence against women, a national speaker on justice for victims of crime, and a sexual and domestic violence survivor. She is a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.
By DIANE E. BENSON