(Juneau) - Alaska has the highest rate of sexual assault in the nation. A landmark bill working its way through the legislature this session will protect victims and possibly reduce the number of assaults in the years ahead. On Wednesday, April 5 at 1:00 pm, a news conference will be held on the front steps of the Capitol Building to rally support for SB 218.

Sen. Gretchen Guess (D - Anchorage) and Sen. Con Bunde (R - Anchorage) are co-sponsors of SB 218. The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) endorse the legislation.

"Protecting Alaskans is a primary duty for all elected officials. It's time to start locking up the worst sex offenders with longer prison terms and taking necessary steps to protect the public once they are released," said Sen. Bunde.

"All rapes and molestations are serious crimes with serious consequences for victims and communities," said Sen. Guess, "but current sentencing does not reflect the values in Alaska. It's time to stop tolerating these crimes," said Sen. Guess.

Under SB 218, the worst cases of sexual abuse against a minor will result in a minimum sentence of 25 years. In egregious cases involving an adult victim, the offender faces a minimum 20-year sentence. All sex offenders on parole or probation will be required to undergo routine polygraph exams.

WHO:	Gov. Frank Murkowski, Lt. Gov. Loren Leman, Senators Con Bunde and Gretchen Guess, Representatives Mark Neuman and Bill Stoltze, Attorney General David Marquez, Public Safety Commissioner Bill Tandeske, Dept. of Corrections Deputy Commissioner Portia Parker, Peggy Brown, Executive Director, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and many legislators.
WHAT:	News Conference and Rally for SB 218
WHEN:	Wednesday, April 5, 2006 @ 1:00 pm
WHERE:	Front steps of the Capitol Building

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04-03-06 : Sen. Bunde believes the only way to protect society from the worst sexual offenders is to lock them up for decades because he their victims serve a life sentence.

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Con Bunde 180 KB

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Con Bunde 45 KB

04-03-06 : Sen. Guess says long prison sentences are justified because children who are victimized struggle with the emotional and psychological consequences for decades.

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Gretchen Guess 130 KB

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Gretchen Guess 33 KB

04-05-06: "Peggy Brown, Exec. Director of the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault says handing out stiff sentences for sexual offenders encourages victims who might remain silent to come forward.

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Peggy Brown, Exec. Director of ANDVSA 103 KB

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Peggy Brown, Exec. Director of ANDVSA 26 KB