Session: State Capitol, Room 417 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2487 Toll Free: (800) 865-2487 Fax: (907) 465-4956 Interim: 112 Mill Bay Road Kodiak, AK 99615 Phone: (907) 486-8872 Fax: (907) 486-5264 (at LIO)

Sponsor Statement for SB 248
Extending Council on Domestic Violence

An Act extending the termination date of the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; and providing for an effective date.

Senate Bill 248 extends the sunset of The Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault until June 30, 2006. The Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is the state policymaking board charged with planning and coordinating services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Last fiscal year over 7,000 Alaska women and children received services in shelters throughout the state. This totals more than 50,000 shelter nights. There were also more than 2,000 victims of sexual assault who sought services through the state. The Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault has services for families of victims as well as perpetrators of these crimes by providing crisis intervention and preventing programs throughout Alaska. The programs provided by the Council come from state, federal, and private funds.

The first task of all programs is the immediate safety and crisis intervention for the victim. Other services include: information on and referral to needed service such as housing or public assistance, medical advocacy, legal advocacy, safety checks, clothing and food, transportation, and personal and group support.

Through cooperative efforts, the Council is a vital component of the effort to help break the cycle of violence that fractures Alaskan families and communities. The Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault works with victim advocates, law enforcement, prosecution, the Department of Corrections, and the batterer's intervention program staff and other groups and agencies. The Council's goal is to increase safety for victims, increase reporting by victims, train those involved in community response to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and to hold perpetrators accountable for their acts.

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