Alaska has been the highest-ranking state in reported rape for the past nineteen out of twenty-six years. For seven of those years, the state lost its less-than-prestigious number one spot, but still remained in the top five. It is an ugly topic, and one people might rather not discuss, but lets face it: sexual assault happens and chances are you may know someone that has experienced this heinous crime, whether you know it or not.

     At the Take Back the Night rally on April 16, onlookers glared and shook their heads when faced with the ugly reality of rape. It was incredible to see the disdain on their faces as women, men and children gathered to “take back” the night that their power was stripped from them and those they love. And all onlookers had for them were shoulder shrugs, frowns, glares, a few grunted words, and nods. The marchers, however, would be heard and proudly did they march despite the lack of concern. They have spoken for those that don’t yet have the courage. I applaud the people that did take the time to encourage, support and appreciate what these people were saying; that they were no longer going to stand idly by and be ignored.

     “Take Back the Night” takes place each April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is hosted by a number of organizations such as Standing Together Against Rape, The YWCA, and The Women’s Forum from Alaska Pacific University.  It began twenty years ago as a movement where women could be heard and continues today nationally. In many places it is still only women that march, but here in Anchorage men have recognized the role they play in ending violence and rape and they also turned out to show their support.

     STAR is a non-profit organization that exists to help people overcome sexual assault. Two of the biggest ways the group accomplishes this is through awareness programs and by having volunteers that man the crisis line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year. The volunteers are trained and are prepared to listen and let people know that, “they are not alone and that healing can happen”, says Erin Hamilton an advocate with STAR.

     The organization receives much of its funding from grants, donations and fundraising, with a majority of the money coming from the State of Alaska. Money, however, is where state support more or less ends, according to Arax Dailey, President of the Women’s Forum on the APU Campus.

     “(The state) perpetuates the sexual violence that we have here. No one said we need to put money aside in the budget for programs to help stop whatever it is that is causing us to be ranked number one.”

     Dailey is speaking of educational programs that teach people to be safe and more aware of their surroundings. Programs that decrease the recidivism rate by addressing the problems that create the mindset in offenders that this behavior is acceptable. The idea is that if you educate and assist offenders with the problems that put them in jail in the first place fewer crimes will occur. As the old saying goes, “Give a man fish, he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.”

     The lack of concern or support from our community was apparent on Saturday. I didn’t see the mayor or the governor, not even a news crew there to lend their support. I was there on behalf of Insurgent49, the only media source there to bring you one of the most pressing issues that our state faces. I find it sad that in this day and age where little girls are taken from their homes and used as sexual tokens, that all major news sources will immediately run with the amber alert (which is fantastic) and, in the most recent case of Sarah Michelle Lunde in Florida, be there to cover the story when the body is found. But they won’t show people in their own community standing up for everyone saying, “No more”.

     Here  is a question for the community:

     Which is scarier: talking about condoms, safe sex, good touches and bad touches and ways to make yourself as safe as possible or hearing that knock on the door in the middle of the day or night to hear the words “I’m sorry but…”? It doesn’t seem that it should even be a question to debate.

     Personally, I believe that condoms should be available to all teenagers because chances are they are sexually active anyway and even if they aren’t, you’re not urging them to be but asking them to be safe when they do make that choice. Educate them to know that what they see on television is not how sex should be viewed. Teach people how to say no and how to accept no as in not even open for negotiation. I hope that I make a lot of parents mad, mad enough to sit down and be real with their kids, so that there aren’t anymore little girls taken from their homes or little boys being molested by priests, family members or family friends. In my perfect world we are free from sexual predators and violence; maybe one day with cooperation from everyone it could come true.

For more information on becoming a volunteer with S.T.A.R. contact Jennifer at 276-7279 or Jsmerud@staralaska.org. The APU community can get more information about the Women’s Forum by calling 564-8283 or writing to the Women’s Forum, 4101 University Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508.

Heather Baker is a freelance writer and activist who resides in an undisclosed location in Alaska. She can be reached at hbaker@insurgent49.com.