What If I Report?
Advocates may offer information and options to think about when reporting a crime of sexual violence. You may ask for an Advocate to be with you when you report a crime of sexual violence or sexual harassment, or you may choose to report in the privacy of your home or wherever is comfortable for you. You are welcome to have a support person with you when you report.
Discourage friends or family members from confronting the offender. A CONFIDENTIAL investigation yields better results.
Protecting Your Body~
1. Don't bathe, shower, or steam
2. Don't brush your teeth (if oral assault occurred)
3. Don't launder your clothing
4. If possible, place clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault in a paper bag or box. Avoid plastic containers as mold will grow quickly in air-tight containers.
5. Avoid aggressive wiping when using the bathroom. Urine may contain evidence so holding urine as long as you are comfortable is helpful.
Protecting Your Story~
1. Avoid telling others about the assault until you have told police and they have a chance to talk with witnesses to get additional facts about the case.
2. Avoid posting on Facebook, texting, or notifying others who may know the offender. (This may mean even your closest friends).
3. Write down anything that you can remember as you wait for police or medical services.
Jurisdiction
The first step in reporting is determining the jurisdiction where the crime occurred. Did the crime occur in Anchorage, or within a smaller town with its own police force? Or did it occur under the State Trooper’s area of investigation? If you do not know for sure, often 911 or non-emergency dispatch can help you. You can reach non-emergency dispatch in Anchorage at (907) 786-8500.
Click here for contact numbers of local law enforcement agencies.
Making the call…
When calling 911 or non-emergency dispatch, you will need to provide the following information
Reporting to a patrol officer…
When these questions are answered, a patrol officer is sent to your location to obtain a more detailed statement. The questions asked by patrol are likely to begin with general information, and gradually get in-depth and personal. A patrol officer is required to ask detailed questions about the extent of sexual contact in order to determine elements of the crime. The intent of the officer is not to offend you or pry, but to obtain sufficient information to relay to a supervising sergeant to ensure the best next steps in the case investigation can be determined.
A report will be written by the patrol officer and forwarded to a Detective Division Sergeant or Investigator with the State Trooper’s Bureau of Investigation. When they have had time to review the report and assign it, you will be contacted by a Detective or Investigator.
If the assault occurred within a specified timeframe, the case may be screened as a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) investigation. If so, you will be directed or transported to the SART clinic. You will be met there by a STAR Advocate, a specialized forensic nurse, and a specially trained Detective or Investigator. A team approach allows you to access immediate needs in one location.
Anonymous Victim Reporting
Within the Municipality of Anchorage, adults have the option to receive a medical/forensic exam by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) without making a report to law enforcement. As an “anonymous victim,” your health- care needs will be addressed and any evidence collected will be preserved while you have time to think about whether you want to report to police. If you choose to report the crime to law enforcement at a later date, you will need to sign a consent form provided by the SANE. Once you open the report to police, the police will need to interview you, and may contact the suspect and witnesses to interview them.
If you have certain injuries, are under age 18, or are considered a vulnerable adult, Anonymous Victim Reporting is not available as an option.
To access Anonymous Victim Reporting, please call the STAR crisis line for more information.
Reporting Sexual Assault or Abuse of a Minor
Any suspected abuse of a minor should be immediately reported by professionals under Mandated Reporting requirements. Failure to do so could result in a criminal charge, as well as personal and professional liability.
Child abuse investigations in and around Anchorage are conducted at Alaska CARES (Child Abuse Response and Evaluation Services). More information is available at their website:
Alaska CARES
STAR Advocates respond to provide support and information at Alaska CARES.
A dispatcher can take your informaion and send a patrol officer:
to your home
to the STAR office
to a location you feel safe
You can also go to a police station and file your initial report.
Sexual Assault Response Teams or SARTS typically consist of: You, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Law Enforcement, and an Advocate. You are the most important member of the team. Your role is to communicate any medical, emotional, and legal concerns you may have along the way. Being honest with the team will help build the strongest case. It is not your job to protect any member of the team from disturbing information. This team has gathered to help identify the crimes that have occurred, make certain your body is healthy, support you through reporting, and help you start on your healing journey.
The Nurse’s role
The job of the Nurse is to provide medical care for you, collect and preserve evidence, and is able to present the evidence and professional opinions for legal proceedings. The nurse will examine your body head to toe, diagnose and treat injuries, or provide referrals for additional treatment. A nurse will assess sexually transmitted infection risks, provide medicine to prevent infections, or treat any diagnosed during the exam.
Law Enforcement’s role
A member of Law Enforcement will interview you, pinpointing specific crimes and documenting possible witnesses and evidence. Law Enforcement then conducts an investigation and provides this information to the District Attorney, who will decide if an arrest and/or charging is possible.
The Advocate’s role
The Advocate is a source of support to you through the entire process, explaining your rights, and providing immediate and long-term resources. An Advocate will explain this process is 100% voluntary, and you are not required to participate in any portion of the investigative procedure. Advocates may provide emergency shelter and transportation, legal advocacy, and on-going support weeks, months, and even years beyond the incident. Only with permission can the Advocate communicate on your behalf. You can decline advocacy services at any time.
**A note about Statute of Limitations**
Alaska currently has no statute of limitation for sex crimes. This means there is no time limit for reporting to law enforcement. However, the state used to have such a statute before the law changed in 1987. Based on information from the Department of Law, if the victim was over 18 at the time of the assault, 10 years is usually the time limit to attempt prosecution, simply because evidence is frequently lost. For the same reason, if the victim was under 18 at the time of the assault, prosecution is generally only attempted if the incident(s) occurred after September 14, 1987.
STAR encourages anyone who wants to report to do so, with expectations in line with the above information. While the chances of arrest may be low, depending on the circumstances, reporting may offer some amount of closure to a survivor, in documenting the crime(s) occurred. If the offender hurt you, it is likely (s)he has hurt others who may not be bound by the old statute of limitations. Your report may very well assist in the investigation of the offender and help another victim.