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Resources for Survivors

Too many Alaskans have been impacted by sexual violence. You are not alone.

After an assault, it may be difficult to know how to feel, if you should tell someone, or what to do next. You may be considering working with the criminal justice system; you may have already reported to the police, and are not sure what the next steps are. There is no right or wrong way to react, and the decision of what steps to take afterwards should be made on what will be best for you.  Healing from sexual assault or abuse is a process, and that process looks different for everyone.

If you are unsure whether reporting your assault is the best choice for you, consider speaking to an advocate. An advocate is a trauma-informed professional who has received specialized training to provide support and resources to survivors of sexual assault and other violent crimes. They are free and confidential. See below for additional information about how advocacy can help.

What does the Advocate do?
An advocate walks alongside you through the criminal justice system, other resource agencies, or through processing your experience, whatever that might look like for you. Some examples might include:
  • Providing information on reporting options
  • Providing support and accompaniment during the reporting process and forensic exam
  • Assessing safety concerns and providing safety planning assistance or help applying for protective orders
  • Assist in identifying and applying for resources such as crime victim compensation, emergency shelter, case management services, financial resources, etc.
  • One-on-one support in person or over the phone, support groups, counseling services
  • Accompaniment to court proceedings or meetings with criminal justice professionals (prosecutors, law enforcement 
 
Who does an Advocate work for?
In Alaska, advocates work for nonprofit victim service agencies throughout the state. They are independent of the state and the criminal justice system. Their responsibility is to you, not to the criminal justice system. You do not have to report to police or work with the criminal justice system to work with an advocate.
 
Will the Advocate tell anyone about me or what happened to me?
No, the advocate will not disclose any information regarding what happened to you.  Advocates may only release very limited information about you or your needs with your written permission. The advocate is held under strict confidentiality guidelines, and information will not be shared with anyone else, unless it falls under mandated reporting laws.  If you are under the age of 18 years of age, or you disclose that something harmful has happened to a minor or vulnerable adult, an advocate is mandated to file a report about the incident under Alaska statute.

I don’t want to talk to the police; do I have to?
You do not have to work with the Alaska State Troopers or any other law enforcement agency if you do not wish to. If you have already reported your assault to them, understand that they may continue their investigation without your cooperation.
 
Will the person who assaulted me be arrested?
A complex set of factors contribute to an arrest warrant being granted and served. Those decisions are made by a team that includes law enforcement and criminal justice professionals on a case-by-case basis, so it is difficult to know what will occur in a specific case. If the assailant is arrested, they may post bail and be released under certain conditions. You can elect to be notified of release by an automatic service.
 
What if they don’t prosecute the person who assaulted me?         
The decision to prosecute is a complex one, and is based on evidence available to the prosecutor.  The evidence available and the facts of the case are two separate things.  A decision not to prosecute does not mean you are not believed!  It just means there is not enough independent evidence available to prove to a jury that it happened that way, beyond a reasonable doubt.  Regardless of the prosecutor's decision, the most important thing is that you are following your own healing journey, feel supported, informed, and know that whatever happens in a court process (which is out of your hands) is separate from your own trauma recovery process. An advocate can connect you to resources to help you in your healing.

You can also download a PDF version of these FAQs here.
 

Survivor Advocacy Services & Hotlines

 

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN.org)

1-800-656-4673

Anchorage: Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis, Inc.

(907) 272-0100

Anchorage: Standing Together Against Rape

1-800-478-8999

Anchorage: Victims for Justice

1-888-835-1213

Bethel: Tundra Women’s Coalition

1-800-478-7799

Cordova Family Resource Center

1-866-790-4357

Cordova: Native Village of Eyak

(907) 424-7738

Craig: Helping Ourselves Prevent Emergencies

(907) 826-4673

Dillingham: Safe and Fear-Free Environment

1-800-478-2316

Emmonak Women's Shelter

(907) 949-1443

Fairbanks: Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living

1-888-478-7273

Haines: Becky's Place

(907) 303-0076

Homer: South Peninsula Haven House

1-800-478-7712

Hooper Bay: Bay Haven

(907) 758-4711

Juneau: AWARE

1-800-478-1090

Kenai: Kenaitze Indian Tribe

(907) 335-7600

Kenai: The LeeShore Center

(907) 283-7257

Ketchikan Indian Community

(907) 228-9327

Ketchikan: Women in Safe Homes

1-800-478-9474

Kodiak Women’s Resource and Crisis Center

1-888-486-3625

Kotzebue: Maniilaq Family Crisis Center

1-888-478-3969

Nome: Bering Sea Women’s Group

1-800-570-5444

Palmer: Alaska Family Services

1-866-746-4080

Petersburg: Working Against Violence for Everyone

(907) 518-0555

Seward: Seaview Community Services

1-888-224-5257

Sitkans Against Family Violence

1-800-478-6511

Unalaskans Against Sexual Assault & Family Violence

1-800-478-7238

Utqiagvik: Arctic Women in Crisis

1-800-478-0267

Valdez: Advocates for Victims of Violence

1-800-835-4044


For a more comprehensive list of available advocacy services visit the ANDVSA Website
 

 
                            

Alaska Automated Victim Notification
System (VINE)

www.correct.state.ak.us/probation-parole/vine      

Website and toll-free number for updates on an inmate's current location and tentative release date.
 

Alaska District Attorney’s (DA) Offices
www.law.state.ak.us/department/criminal/doa.html


Contact the DA in your district for information about
a criminal case.
Alaska Native Justice Center
(907) 793-3550                 
www.anjc.org

The Alaska Native Justice Center supports individuals who have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused by a partner or are seeking assistance with a civil legal issue related to family law such as divorce, separation, child custody, support or a protective order.
 
Alaska Office of Victims’ Rights
907-754-3460 or 844-754-3460      
www.ovr.akleg.gov  

Provides free legal services to victims of crime to help them obtain the rights they are guaranteed under the Alaska constitution and statutes.
 
Alaska State Troopers
www.dps.alaska.gov/AST/Contacts  


Visit this website to find the contact information for your local Trooper post.
 
 
Alaska Violent Crimes Compensation Board (VCCB)
(907) 465-3040                 
www.doa.alaska.gov/vccb/

The Violent Crimes Compensation Board was established to help mitigate financial losses that are the direct result of violent crimes that occur to Alaskans and visitors to Alaska.
 
 
Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center
(907) 328-3990                 
www.aknwrc.org 


Connection to tribal support and resources. Not a 24-hour hotline.
 
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault (ANDVSA)

(907) 586-3650                 
www.andvsa.org

Statewide coalition of advocacy programs; civil legal support, can connect you to local programs that provide direct services. Not a 24-hour hotline.
 
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