Domestic violence organizations face huge budget cuts and plead for help from the Alaska Legislature Published 12 hours ago
A conference room at the AWAIC shelter on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 in Anchorage. Abused Women s Aid In Crisis (AWAIC) operates a domestic violence shelter and provides intervention, prevention and other services to victims of domestic violence. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Print article JUNEAU Domestic violence shelters across Alaska are facing an unexpected budget shortfall, and many could be forced to close, officials warned the Alaska Legislature. In impassioned testimony to the House Finance Committee last week, groups that aid domestic violence victims requested $6 million to fix a problem caused by a lack of federal funding. That request would be 0.13% of the state’s expected $4.3 billion operating budget, but the impact would be tremendous, the groups said.
Alaska State Troopers will be one of the agencies involved with the team. Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Department of Public Safety is beginning an inter-agency Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team.
The team will comprise of law enforcement and advocacy groups to take a broader look at fatal or near-fatal domestic violence cases, Agencies represented include the Office of Victim Rights, State Medical Examiner s Office, Alaska State Troopers, Department of Health and Social Services, UAA Justice Center, Department of Law, the Alaska Native Justice Center, and the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. With the information that they re going through, they re hoping to identify gaps in service, said Megan Peters, Communications Director for the Department of Public Safety. So we can fill gaps that we don t know yet are there.
Dunleavy administration launches board to review domestic violence fatalities
Print article Alaska is starting a domestic violence fatality review team, the state Department of Public Safety announced Tuesday. The review board will analyze select cases from around Alaska “where an individual is either killed or nearly killed due to domestic violence,” the department said in a statement. Analyzing domestic violence homicides will “see where the gaps are in services that possibly prevented a victim from getting help before it was too late,” Department of Public Safety commissioner Amanda Price said. “We need to stop missing even the most subtle signs of domestic violence and make services more readily available whether it is at school, a doctor’s appointment, or a law enforcement contact.”
This is the first in a series of five stories that explores the community dynamics around sexual assault in Nome and efforts to heal long-standing unequal treatment.
This story features sensitive subject matter. Listener discretion is advised. If you need to talk with someone while reading this, or need help, here are some resources.
Bering Sea Women’s Group: (907) 443-5444; Toll Free: 1-800-570-5444.
Behavioral Health Services at the Norton Sound Health Corporation: (907) 443-3344, emergency number: 443-3200.
STAR Alaska: (907) 276-7273; Toll Free (800) 478-8999
ANDVSA: (907)-586-3650
Hundreds of sexual assaults have been reported in Nome over the last 15 years, but few have brought arrests and even fewer convictions.
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As part of an associate-led effort, GEICO is donating more than $350,000 to charities across the country. From coast-to-coast, GEICO associates nominated non-profit organizations and projects for making a positive impact on their communities. More than 100 organizations were awarded donations.
“Our associates told us what was important to them, and we listened,” said GEICO Chief Human Resource Officer Rick Hoagland. “I’ve been touched by the passion GEICO associates show for helping their communities. We are happy to support the wonderful work these organizations are doing.”
In the Anchorage area, GEICO granted $5,500 in total donations to the following organizations: