"An Act amending protective order statutes for crimes involving stalking to include crimes involving sexual assault and sexual abuse, to provide for other relief ordered by a court, to add the protective orders to a centralized registry, to prevent denial solely for a lapse of time, and to require notification of the court of known civil or criminal actions involving the petitioner or respondent; relating to notifications to victims of sexual assault and to mandatory arrest for crimes involving violation of protective orders and violation of conditions of release; and amending Rule 65, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure. "

Historically, violent crime in Alaska has exceeded the national averages in nearly every category. Current statistics are no exception. According to a recent FBI report, our state has a stunning rate of sexual assault that nearly triples the national average. This annual Uniform Crime Report shows that as violent crime went down nationwide, it went up in Alaska. Forcible rapes in Alaska occurred at a rate of 92.5 per 100,000 people in 2003. The national average was 32.1. Although this latest increase is truly alarming, it may merely reflect the tendency for more victims to choose to report the crimes against them, rather than being solely due to an increase in offenses. Regardless, the problems persist in our state. The report continues to show that Alaska's violent crime rate-which includes murder, nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault-increased to 593 per 100,000 people, while the national average was 475. In the past 30 years, Alaska has ranked among the five worst states nearly each year for the rate of sexual assault. Over 10 times has our state led the nation in this dubious distinction.

Victims of domestic violence and stalking have access to protective orders. The passage of SB 54 will allow victims of sexual assault to seek this protection as well. It is well documented that forcible rapes and sexual assaults are crimes of power, leaving the victim exceedingly fearful. Many times, victims are bullied and too terrified to report these crimes. In light of this, SB 54 attempts to grant safety and security to these victims.

These new guidelines for protective orders are inserted into the current remedies for stalking. Protective orders, ex parte orders, and emergency orders will be available to these victims. This bill focuses on victims of sexual assault (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th degrees) and sexual abuse of a minor (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th degrees) that is not domestic violence.

2003 FBI Uniform Crime Report:
www.fbi.gov/ucr/03cius.htm

2003 Department of Public Safety Crime Report:
www.dps.state.ak.us/
OnlineLibrary/htm/cria2003.pdf

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