Victimization Survey press conference is Sept. 30

Alaska has long been plagued by a high incidence of violence against women. For example, Uniform Crime Reports data shows rates of forcible rape over two and a half times higher in Alaska than in the U.S. as a whole. However, because there is no victimization data in Alaska, it is impossible to determine if higher rates of rape and other violence against women are due to higher victimization rates, higher rates of reporting, or both. This statewide victimization study provides the first definitive measures of incidence and prevalence, which can be used to provide greater empirical support for responses to, and prevention of, violence against women.

At 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30, a press conference held jointly by the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) and the UAA Justice Center will introduce the results of the Statewide Victimization Survey conducted this year by the UAA Justice Center through a contract with the CDVSA. A brief overview of the survey will be followed by a presentation of the data and a discussion of the analysis done by the Justice Center.

The Alaska Victimization Survey is modeled upon the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Surveillance System (NISVSS) developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice and the U.S. Department of Defense. The NISVSS survey, started in 2009, is designed to generate accurate lifetime and 12-month incidence and prevalence estimates on intimate partner violence, sexual violence and stalking victimization.

The press conference will be held in the UAA Commons, Room 107. The Commons building is located on UAA's campus, next to student housing off Elmore Road. Parking will be free in the adjacent Spruce Lot during this event. Visit www.uaa.alaska.edu/map for a map of UAA's campus.

Among those who will be present to answer questions are CDVSA Executive Director Sandy Samaniego, CDVSA Chair Stephanie McFadden (or her delegate), UAA Justice Center Director Andre Rosay, Alaska State Trooper Col. Audie Holloway, Suzi Pearson from AWAIC and Nancy Haag from STAR.

For more background on this project, visit http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/research/2010/1004.victimization/index.html.

To learn more about UAA's Justice Center.

For more information about the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.