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Who We Are: History of The Council
The development of services for Alaskan victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their families is truly an example of a grassroots effort that led to the creation of a number of major statewide programs as well as a governmental funding agency, the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (Council). The effort started in 1976 when a group of concerned women established the Alaska Womens Resource Center in Anchorage and began efforts to obtain services for battered women. They organized the first Alaskan conference on domestic violence. As a result of that conference, which began to focus attention on the need for services, the states first shelter Abused Womens Aid In Crisis (AWAIC) was established in Anchorage in the fall of 1977. By 1978, limited services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault were also being provided in eight other communities, primarily through volunteers and some federal funds.
In 1978, a statewide network of the community-based non-profit groups that were providing services, the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (Network), was incorporated. By 1980, federal funding ended, but State funds for the programs increased to $1.8 million for FY81. This money supported sixteen programs. Funding for the programs was funneled through the Network for decisions on program funding, with the Department of Health and Social Services only administering and monitoring the grants. The Legislature added intent language in the FY81 budget stating No further increases in domestic violence and sexual assault budgets until legislation establishing responsibilities is passed. There were concerns that having a non-profit group outside of State government making funding decisions was unprecedented and had no statutory base.
As a result, the Network and the Department of Health and Social Services developed proposed legislation for authorization to administer grants-in-aid to domestic violence and sexual assault programs. The resulting legislation was AS18.66, which established the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and placed it in the Department of Public Safety, effective October 24, 1981. The Network felt strongly that since domestic violence and sexual assault are primarily issues of safety and must be acknowledged as the serious crimes they are, the Council should be in the Department of Public Safety. Also, cooperation of police officers is crucial to protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The Council, which is an administrative, policy-making body, is composed of three public members appointed by the Governor after consultation with the Network, and representatives from the Departments of Public Safety, Law, Education, and Health and Social Services. The purpose of the Council is to provide for planning and coordination of services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and to perpetrators of domestic violence and sexual assault and to provide for crisis intervention and prevention programs (AS 18.66.010) In FY01 the Council funded twenty-one community-based victim services programs, eight community-based batterers intervention programs, and three prison-based batterers programs.
MISSION
The mission of the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is to reduce the causes and incidence and to alleviate the effects of domestic violence and sexual assault. |
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Getting Help
Rape victims can be male, female, young or old. If you have been raped and are hurting emotionally you do not need to be alone. We can help you thru a variety of