Alaska has one of the most high rate of domestic violence across the country and research shows that more than half of women living in Alaska were victims of violence throughout their lives.
A new series from The Alaska Beacon takes a look at the various aspects of the domestic violence epidemic that is sweeping across Alaska that range from the root of the problem and suggested solutions to negative health consequences.
The Beacon’s reporter Claire Stremple says funding for shelters and other programs that assist victims of domestic violence is difficult to find.
Listen:
This video interview is edited lightly to improve clarity and length.
Claire Stremple:Shelter directors will inform you that they’re cash-strapped even though the state is able to add money to federal funds are used to tackle the problem. The former state Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Director Diane Casto told me that these programs are incredibly costly and the recent rise in inflation isn’t helping these budgets. However, she also highlighted the other aspect that’s crucial, and that’s the fact that the state is spending the majority of its budget for treating domestic violence in shelters and other services the aftermath of harm. However, she added that If we’re going to eradicate all domestic violence need to concentrate on prevention, preventing the violence from occurring which is a lot more difficult.
The primary causes of violence advocates claim and the state statistics bear this out, is that violence is the cause of violence. Therefore, the majority of victims of domestic violence have been the victim of violence throughout their lives as victims. This is a broad statement, however the part that is specific to Alaska of the answer is related to the state’s colonial heritage. I spoke to Charlene Apok, who is responsible for the direction for Data for Indigenous Justice. The work they do is they maintain a database of missing and killed Indigenous people. This, obviously is a great source of resemblance to domestic violence. (She) stated that violence in institutions, particularly towards Alaska Native people, is violence that can also lead to domestic violence. This is why they provide the instance of violence in boarding schools at children and physical assault that can cause devastating consequences upon adulthood. They also spoke about how removing values from culture and practices, as well as physical violence can also have consequences.
Wesley early:So You’ve noticed that many of these instances of domestic violence women aren’t able to move out of their abusive partners, and many are having difficulty finding shelter. Do you have a discussion about these obstacles and what’s being done to eliminate them?
Claire Stremple:So housing is a challenge regardless of regardless of whether you’ve had a domestic experience whether or not. But it’s particularly difficult in that setting. Domestic violence survivors often require help to locate and afford housing, since research shows that perpetrators frequently undermine their victims’ economic security. That can result in problems with finding rental homes due to low credit scores, poor rental history or even a shaky employment record. Mandy Cole runs the DV shelter in Juneau and stated that there is no distinction between survivors of domestic violence and having access to independent affordable housing. This is a crucial part however, it’s also due to the violence and trauma which victims have endured difficult to get access to.
What’s being done to knock the barriers out? The Juneau shelter, as well as at other shelters, they’re constructing permanent supportive housing for those who have suffered domestic violence. It’s a matter that people are trying to solve. I’m not sure if there’s any policy solutions that are designed specifically to fix that issue.
A second thing I’d like to mention which may be not in the solution direction Domestic violence has been the most significant source of homelessness for females as well as their kids. Nationally, the majority of women who are homeless have suffered from domestic violence.
Wesley early:Advocates that you have spoken to as part of your reports and also cite a multitude of health issues which are a result of domestic violence. Could you speak a little about these?
Claire StrempleThe results that were have discussed throughout this episode, among them being that domestic violence is tied to our high rate of maternal mortality in Alaska. In the last 10 years the number of people who die following labor has more than tripled in Alaska as more women are killed by suicide, homicide or overdoses than from medical issues. Of the women who die during the year following labor, approximately 70% of them have been victims of domestic violence during their lives. Another important thing to remember when talking about taking overdose and suicide aspect is that these two and the research that confirms that they’re commonly used reactions or even escape strategies for domestic violence.
Another problem is traumatic brain injuries. Alaska has the highest number of death due to brain injuries resulting from trauma across the United States. Additionally, it has one of the most severe levels of domestic violence and more recently in Alaska caregivers and advocates are beginning to link these two statistics. However, they claim that even if the rate is as large as it was in Alaska of both trauma brain injury as well as domestic violence likely to undercount. The state is working on an instrument for screening. It’s a pilot project currently. It’s designed to be utilized in shelters to help advocates recognize the signs and recognize TBI signs, and connect victims of violence with resources. That’s pretty exciting.
Wesley early:Continuing in that vein, do you know what other measures are being taken to tackle this problem of violence against women in Alaska? What are the resources available through local non-profit organizations or the government?
Claire Stremple:There’s actually a lot being carried out to stop the issue of domestic violence within Alaska. In the midst of this difficult area isn’t easy, what really made me feel hopeful because of the number of people who have been devoted to helping to end this problem. Therefore, I’d like to say that first. Alaska is an Alaskan state that is contributing to the solution economically. Not all do. Around half of the budget for shelters and programs across the state is funded by state funds. Therefore, this is a problem the state is aware of and is working to correct. There’s a gap in funding for this fiscal calendar year. One of the sources of federal funding has decreased significantly and is causing untold millions of dollars within the state budget. There is still money flowing to that direction. This is, I believe important to acknowledge.
There’s also an excellent example of an upstream prevention program designed to end violence before it even begins. Students throughout the state are legally required to enroll in classes for healthy relationships. Teens are taught what healthy relationships mean. They learn to keep them, and how to avoid violent relationships. All of this is vital because many victims of domestic violence admit that they were not aware of the severity of their situation or had the skills to recognize the negative aspects in their relationship. Therefore, this work is crucial.
A social worker who travels around the world who is based in Bethel informed me that he believes in the importance of curriculum and is often on the road from Bethel to villages and schools within the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta to present the courses. Recently, I traveled together with him in Nunapitchuk and it was fascinating to observe the bonds of trust that he established not just with the students but also with his colleagues at the school. And the impact of those relationships on how the people truly absorbed his message.
“Domestic violence within Alaska” was developed in conjunction in collaboration with the Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s domestic Violence Impact Fund.
If you’re a victim domestic violence, you may contact toll-free the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. The complete information list on Alaska shelters, as well as victims’ service providers is available here.
