https://www.adn.com/commentary/article/standing-victims-sexual-abuse/2010/03/28/
Standing up for victims of sexual abuse
By Desa Jacobsson

On Jan. 18, Dan Fagan of KFQD Radio remarked on legislative efforts by Gov. Parnell to end violence in Alaska. During his talk show he stated, "Sexual abuse is rampant in Bush Alaska and people are turning a blind eye, looking the other way and nothing is being done about it while girls and young women are being terrorized."

In the first place, sexual violence knows no race, gender, age or economic walls. It happens all over the world. Not just in rural Alaska. I need not delve into cases familiar to most Alaskans to remind us that abuse happens everywhere.

Dan Fagan's outrageous remark that "nothing is being done and people are turning a blind eye, looking the other way" denigrates, minimizes and insults the dedication of those who have worked in the field to end violence in Alaska.

Since 1982, I have worked with and known those at the forefront to make social change in our state. These dedicated Alaskans have worked in very dangerous conditions to speak out and do something to end this scourge. They have been subjected to public ridicule, threats and harassment. They have persevered.

I have seen witnesses terrified as they testified in court, bravely coming forward in order to stop further abuse and to hold the perpetrators accountable. I have seen accountability placed on the abuser, rather than victims blamed for a choice they didn't make. For decades throughout Alaska, support groups have been organized where victims could be healed of their injuries, understood and nurtured into wellness.

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Photo by Michael Paschall
Former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens is seen here addressing the Global Food Alaska conference in Soldotha in 2009. Stevens was killed this week in a plane crash.

2000, Stevens was named Alaskan of the Century for having the greatest impact on the state in 100 years.
[poster commentary: Why else would he be named Alaskan of the Century?]

The Palin administration's push to add more rehabilitation services is a welcome change from the austerity measures imposed during the Murkowski administration. With oil money shrinking, Alaska's prisons cut most rehabilitation services--

[poster commentary: "austerity measures" like what exactly? Do they mean Senate Bio 216, which gave harsher penalties for first-time child molesters?]

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Palm Springs, Calif.
Dominguez: Out
Police chief ousted: The police chief of Palm Springs, a mecca for gay tourists, has resigned amid an outcry over a spate of arrests at a popular gay pickup spot. Chief David Dominguez stepped down last week after evidence emerged that he had used anti-gay slurs while supervising the June 2009 arrests. The 19 arrests themselves were controversial for their use of well-muscled undercover officers to lure men into making sexual solicitations. "The sting was an egregious case of entrapment," said Robert Stone, a vocal critic of the undercover operation. The city has ordered sensitivity training for all its employees.
AP

[poster commentary: I thought this was funny. "Entrapment"?]